FIRST WATCH: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Makes Major Ad Buy For Andy Tobin, Starts Tomorrow; Gary Kiehne Labels It "Desperate Bailout"

The powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce is stepping in to bolster Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin in his battle for the GOP nomination in the hotly-contested #AZ01 race.

Here is the ad that begins airing tomorrow.  It ignores Tobin's two primary opponents - fellow state Rep. Adam Kwasman and rancher/businessman Gary Kiehne - and instead focuses on incumbent Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1) (and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, of course) and on touting Tobin as a "rock-solid conservative".



The Associated Press is reporting that the ad buy will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.  The only FCC report filed so far shows a $4,125 buy on the relatively-inexpensive KAZT, so the information is likely correct.

Kiehne immediately sent out an email to supporters (and reporters) blasting the "desperate...bailout" from a "liberal Republican group" and "the pro-amnesty U.S. Chamber of Commerce".  (His complete email is below the jump.)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/20/14

PLEASE CONTACT: CHRIS BAKER, 602-677-1380

Establishment Tries to Bail Out Liberal Andy Tobin

Tobin's broke campaign gets a DC bailout 

(Springerville, AZ) With little money and even less support, Andy Tobin was in desperate need of a bailout.  In the last two days, he finally got it.  According to press reports and FEC reports, a Washington, DC liberal Republican group has joined with the pro-amnesty U.S. Chamber of Commerce to try and rescue Tobin's campaign. 

It was reported yesterday, that the pro-union Republican Mainstreet Partnership's super PAC has purchased approximately $40,000 in radio ads to boost Tobin's campaign.  Today the Associated Press reported that the US Chamber of Commerce is purchasing "several hundred thousand dollars" of TV ads for what they call "the establishment's preferred candidate."  

"It's not surprising that Andy Tobin needed a DC bailout to keep his campaign afloat," said Chris Baker, spokesperson for Kiehne for Congress.  "It's clear to anyone who is closely following this primary that Tobin's campaign has fallen flat with voters.  His pro-amnesty, pro-union, higher tax agenda is clearly not what the voters of AZ-01 want from their next Congressman.  

During his legislative career, Andy Tobin was routinely recognized as one of the most pro-union Republican legislators.  He is widely credited with stopping paycheck protection legislation and has taken money from unions throughout his entire career.  Tobin has also publicly stated that he supports amnesty for illegal immigrants.  In addition, Tobin helped shepherd to the ballot one of the largest tax increases in Arizona's history.  

"With support from the U.S. Chamber, the Republican Mainstreet Partnership, and Senator John McCain, voters should have no doubt about what kind of Republican Andy Tobin is," continued Baker.  "These three have shown time and again that they are committed to electing liberal Republicans, and they've got one with Andy Tobin." 

Gary Kiehne is a businessman and rancher from Apache County, Arizona.  Kiehne is endorsed by conservative U.S. Senator Mike Lee, and conservative Congressmen Matt Salmon, David Schweikert, and Duncan Hunter Jr. 

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