Bloomberg putting tens of millions behind new national ad campaign

Michael BloombergMichael BloombergEngel scrambles to fend off primary challenge from left It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process Liberals embrace super PACs they once shunned MORE is dropping tens of millions of dollars on a new national television ad, according to a report from The Associated Press.

The buy is in addition to Bloomberg’s already-outsize spending on advertising. When he entered the race for the Democratic presidential nomination late last month, the billionaire businessman and former New York City mayor rolled out a $37 million ad buy spanning roughly 100 media markets.

Bloomberg’s campaign did not offer an exact figure for the cost of his latest national ad spot, but said it was similar to his initial buy, the AP reported.

No Democratic presidential candidate has come close to spending as much on television as Bloomberg has with the exception of Tom SteyerTom SteyerBloomberg wages war on COVID-19, but will he abandon his war on coal? Overnight Energy: 600K clean energy jobs lost during pandemic, report finds | Democrats target diseases spread by wildlife | Energy Dept. to buy 1M barrels of oil Ocasio-Cortez, Schiff team up to boost youth voter turnout MORE, another billionaire who has spent about $60 million so far.

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The new national ad buy is set to begin airing on Wednesday in all 50 states and will continue over the next two weeks, according to the AP report.

Bloomberg’s campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Hill.

“Mike Bloomberg’s never been afraid of tough fights – the ones that make a true difference in people’s lives,” the ad says, according to the AP. “And Mike’s won them.”

In the spot, Bloomberg homes in on his argument that he is the candidate best positioned to defeat President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE in the 2020 general election.

But before he can take on Trump directly, Bloomberg will have to get through a grueling primary race in which he faces rival Democrats who have been campaigning much longer than he has.

Most polls show the top tier of the Democratic primary field narrowed down to four candidates: former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE.

At the same time, Bloomberg has already begun facing accusations that he is seeking to buy the Democratic nomination by throwing millions from his personal fortune into his campaign.

He has other political liabilities, as well. He only registered as a Democrat in 2018 after spending more than a decade as an independent. Between 2001 and 2007 he was a registered Republican.

He has also faced questions about his record as New York City’s mayor, particularly his advocacy for so-called stop-and-frisk policing strategies that disproportionately targeted men of color. Bloomberg apologized last month for pushing those policies, saying that he was wrong to do so.