The 2020 Senate race is heating up and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has been struggling to gain traction against his Democratic challenger, Jaime Harrison. To lend a helping hand, a Super PAC has come forth to provide a boost to Scott’s campaign. However, the group has recently made the decision to pull its fall ads amid fears that the ad campaign may be having a smaller impact than expected.
The group in question is the Senate Leadership Fund, a large conservative Super PAC with close ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Fund reportedly invested millions into the race, seeking to bolster Scott’s chances of re-election in November. This included launching significant social media campaigns and television ads in South Carolina, as well as investing resources into get-out-the-vote efforts and voter registration drives.
Unfortunately, the Fund’s strategy appears to have been unsuccessful, at least in terms of swaying voters in Scott’s favor. A recent poll conducted by the University of South Carolina, found that the race is still incredibly close, with Harrison and Scott both retaining about 44% of the vote. In light of this, the Group has apparently decided to back away; according to sources, their ads in the state have been decreasing in both quantity and quality in recent weeks.
This recent development is concerning, not only for the long-term viability of Scott’s campaign, but for the future of Super PACs in general. Super PACs have been an invaluable force in American politics for years, and their effectiveness in this particular case could be seen as a referendum on their future utility. While the Group’s decision to pull its support from Scott’s campaign is undoubtedly a setback for him, it does not necessarily mean the end of Super PACs in U.S. politics. However, it is clear that the American people are becoming more discerning about from where their money comes. Super PACs now need to seize any chance they get to show the electorate that their money is being spent responsible and judiciously, or risk losing their support entirely.
