US Chamber launches tax reform ads in top Senate races

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will launch new TV and digital ads in Arizona and Tennessee on Thursday, highlighting the Republican Senate candidates’ votes to pass the GOP tax law.

The new ads, which were shared first with The Hill, are the Chamber’s first foray into both Arizona and Tennessee, home to two competitive Senate races that Republicans are looking to defend in November.

Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), who are running in top Senate races this cycle, both voted in favor of the GOP’s tax plan, which was signed into law late last year. Republicans are looking to protect — and try to expand — their 51-49 seat majority.

The Chamber has been running a number of ads this year that promote the tax cuts, which they believe could boost GOP chances in protecting their majorities.

{mosads}“Tennessee’s economy is thriving, and we can’t risk Washington liberals turning back the clock,” the narrator in the Tennessee ad says. “Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn fought to pass historic tax reform.”

Republicans are playing defense in Arizona’s and Tennessee’s Senate races where two GOP senators are retiring.

Blackburn faces former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) in the race to replace retiring Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). Meanwhile, McSally is running against Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) to succeed outgoing Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.).

They both face tough challenges from their Democratic opponents in traditionally red states. But recent polling shows the races trending more in Republicans’ favor.

The Chamber has been touting the benefits of the tax law in other states across the country with competitive House and Senate races.

The business-friendly group ran ads in nine House districts, many of which are top battlegrounds that Democrats are targeting in an effort to take back the House. Democrats need to flip 23 seats to regain the House majority.

The Chamber has also run similar spots in Missouri, Florida and Indiana, where Democratic Sens. Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Bill Nelson (Fla.) and Joe Donnelly (Ind.) are playing defense in states that President Trump won in 2016.

Meanwhile, Democrats have been actively running against the tax law, arguing that it benefits wealthy individuals and corporations over middle-class families.

Updated at 6:47 p.m.