Conservative super PACs targeting blue-state Democrats

By Dan Eggen, WashPost, Published: September 15

Democrat John Tierney might normally be a shoo-in for reelection in his deep-blue Northeast Massachusetts district. But a well-funded outside group is trying to change that.

The YG Action Fund, a super PAC funded almost entirely by Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife, has unleashed an ad campaign this month attacking Tierney in starkly personal terms for his wife’s legal troubles and his denials of wrongdoing.

“What’s the truth about John Tierney?” the ad’s narrator asks.

The campaign of Republican opponent Richard Tisei says it did not ask for help from the super PAC and had nothing do with the spot, even if it applauds the message. “I think it highlights one of the key issues of this campaign, which is integrity,” spokeswoman Jennifer Drogus said.

Most of the public’s attention this year is focused on the presidential race, where big-spending advocacy groups are lining up to drown swing states in political ads. But the biggest impact of all that money may come in down-ballot contests, particularly in House races, where even a few hundred thousand dollars can decide the outcome.

(More here.)