Senate GOP fund pauses North Carolina ads, buys in Kansas

The Senate Leadership Fund has paused additional advertising in North Carolina after spending more than $30 million there and begun a seven-figure ad buy in Kansas, redirecting resources to support Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, according to people familiar with the group’s plans. Marshall is seeking a second term against Democratic nominee Adam Hamilton. The shift puts new spending into a state Republicans have traditionally carried comfortably, while suspending further ads in a contest between Republican Michael Whatley and former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. The group’s stated aim, according to a person familiar with its plans, is to use its resources where they can most effectively help Republicans retain the Senate majority. The pause does not establish that the group has canceled all planned North Carolina advertising. AdImpact-tracked reservations showed $18 million planned there over the next month, on top of about $32 million already spent, according to one report. Whether those reservations will be canceled, resumed or otherwise changed was not clear. The Kansas ad buy was described as seven figures by people familiar with the plans.