Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is spending millions of dollars in the Golden State with the aim of tipping close districts in the Democrats’ favor.
Republican Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Steve Knight of Palmdale are under a media onslaught by Independence USA, Mr. Bloomberg’s political action committee. Roughly $4.4 million in ad buys are targeting the former and another $5.1 million will assist Mr. Knight’s Democratic opponent Katie Hill.
Rob Stutzman, one of California’s top Republican strategists, told the Los Angeles Times that Mr. Bloomberg’s money constitutes a “jaw-dropping amount.”
Polls in the 48th Congressional District in Orange County show Mr. Rohrabacher is essentially tied with challenger Harley Rouda.
The ads focus on the Republicans’ environmental record and skepticism of climate change.
“Billionaires from San Francisco and New York City are pouring millions of dollars into this district to buy the election for Nancy Pelosi and advance their own personal agendas,” said Rohrabacher spokesman Dale Neugebauer. “Their attack ads are intended [to] mislead and to distort Rep. Rohrabacher’s record. It won’t work.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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