Democratic dark money targets Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst

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A Democratic nonprofit organization shelling out what gets derided as “dark money” when spent by Republicans is investing heavily to defeat Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, even though she is not one of the most endangered Republicans running for reelection.

Iowa Forward, which can accept donations in unlimited amounts without revealing its donors, has spent or reserved for future spending nearly $1 million in advertising critical of Ernst, a first-term incumbent.

“Liberal special interests have always opposed Joni because she refuses to back down in the face of their socialist agenda,” Ernst campaign spokeswoman Brook Ramlet said.

Republicans are bullish on Ernst, who has absorbed perhaps more enemy fire than any other GOP senator running for reelection. Iowa Forward accounts for most of that, although a couple of other Democratic-aligned groups, Majority Forward and Midwest Victory PAC, have chipped in. Ernst could face Democrat Theresa Greenfield, who has the support of her party’s establishment, in the general election.

One Nation, the political nonprofit group affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and aligned with the McConnell super PAC, Senate Leadership Fund, has spent nearly $1 million to protect Ernst against attacks from Democratic outside groups.

Dark money groups such as Iowa Forward are subject to federal limits on their political activity which mandate that most of their funds be dedicated to issue advocacy.

“Iowa Forward is a grassroots group of Iowans who are letting our senators know that we want them to change their positions on issues like healthcare,” Ben Cobley, a spokesman for the group, told the Washington Examiner. “Too many Iowans are in fear of losing protections for preexisting conditions and facing higher costs for prescription drugs. Our goal is lifting up those voices.”

Another Democratic dark money outfit, Maine Momentum, has spent similar cash to knock off against Maine Republican Susan Collins, elected to the Senate in 1996.

Maine Momentum just went on television with an ad-buy worth more than $700,000. In the spot, an elderly man speaks directly to camera, charging that the senator’s support for the $1.3 trillion tax overhaul signed by President Trump in December of 2017 is threatening his access to Medicare and Social Security. Seniors comprise a particularly significant portion of Maine’s electorate. Collins has yet to declare for reelection, but she is expected to.

Of the Republican-held Senate seats that are up for election in 2020, Iowa and Maine are so far receiving a major share of the resources being spent by outside groups. Democrats also are targeting GOP incumbents in Arizona, Colorado, and North Carolina. Democrats are expected to spend big money against McConnell, an effort that is likely in vain.

Kentucky is a red state, and Trump is popular there.

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