Ayotte shoots hoops with daughter in first TV ad of cycle

Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s (R-N.H.) campaign on Monday released its first TV ad of the 2016 cycle as she defends her competitive Senate seat.

{mosads}The 30-second spot, entitled “Hoops,” features Ayotte and her daughter playing basketball and highlights the GOP senator’s role in her family.

The ad doesn’t mention her likely Democratic opponent, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan. Instead, it focuses on Ayotte’s tenure as senator and as the state’s attorney general.

“Now, mom helps make laws that help people, especially when they need it the most. I’m really proud of her, and she’s taught me with hard work I can do anything,” Ayotte’s daughter, Kate, says in the ad.

Hassan will likely challenge Ayotte in what is expected to be one of the most competitive and expensive Senate races this cycle. Both have raised $2 million, though Ayotte has a cash advantage. Early 2016 polling shows Ayotte ahead.

Hassan’s campaign responded to the ad with a statement calling it a “$300,000 distraction” from Ayotte’s refusal to consider a nominee from President Obama to the Supreme Court.

“No political advertising campaign will distract New Hampshire voters from the fact that Ayotte is failing a critical test of independence with her Supreme Court obstructionism,” Hassan spokesman Aaron Jacobs said.

Democrats need to net five Senate seats in 2016 to regain a majority in the upper chamber — unless they retain the White House. Then a net gain of four seats would give them the majority, with the vice president breaking a 50-50 tie.

Democrats are considered to have an advantage in that they are only defending 10 Senate seats, while the GOP is defending 24 seats.