Marsha Blackburn reserves $1 million for cable, satellite TV advertising

FILE - In an Oct. 26, 2017, file photo, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., leaves the House chamber. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FILE - In an Oct. 26, 2017, file photo, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., leaves the House chamber. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

NASHVILLE - Republican Marsha Blackburn's U.S. Senate campaign has reserved nearly $1 million for a statewide cable and satellite TV advertising buy in advance of the Aug. 2 GOP primary, according to a memo from a top Blackburn adviser.

The ads would begin airing on April 27 and continue through Aug. 2, the date of the primary election that features Blackburn, a current U.S. representative from Brentwood and former U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, who is from Frog Jump in West Tennessee.

In his memo to "interested parties" dated Tuesday, Ward Baker, a national GOP strategist from Tennessee advising Blackburn, said the "Marsha for Senate" TV buy involves major cable operators and satellite services in "all major and small" markets across the state.

"We have reserved premium inventory within the highest rated programs for GOP Primary voters on Fox News Network," wrote Baker, who was executive director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the 2016 campaign cycle.

The memo notes that "with competitive races at the gubernatorial and congressional level demand for such inventory will be at an all-time high."

Blackburn's campaign is expected to run more ads on broadcast TV and conservative talk radio.

In addition to the GOP primary contest between Blackburn and Fincher, state Republicans have four major candidates vying in the party's gubernatorial primary, as well as contested GOP primaries in the 2nd, 6th and 7th Congressional Districts. Blackburn represents the 7th District and U.S. Rep. Diane Black, a gubernatorial candidate, represents the 6th District.

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen is running unopposed in the Democrats' U.S. Senate primary.

Last week, Blackburn ran radio ads in the run-up to the Super Bowl, urging Tennesseans to stand as the National Anthem was played during the Super Bowl.

Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.

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