Screenshot of Debbie Mucarsel-Powell during a Zoom conference call on May 22, 2024.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) on Thursday announced a “multimillion-dollar investment” in television advertising for Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.
The committee said it is doing the same to target U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, with additional funding for television advertising “likely” to be added in the five-and-a-half weeks remaining in the race.
Mucarsel-Powell has been considered an underdog in her race to topple Scott, and national Democrats have not considered the Florida or Texas races as likely to flip this election year. But she has remained competitive in polling. The RealClearPolitics average shows Scott up by four points over Mucarsel-Powell, 46%-42%.
In Texas, recent polls show that Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred is also competitive with GOP incumbent Cruz.
“Senate Democrats are expanding the map and going on offense,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Sen. Gary Peters in a statement.
“All cycle long the DSCC has been preparing to take advantage of Sens. Cruz and Scott’s damaged standings in their states — and now our efforts in Texas and Florida are accelerating. Democrats have strong candidates running effective campaigns in both states, and as we escalate our communications against Sens. Cruz and Scott we will crystallize the case against them.”
The DSCC did not say exactly how much money it is investing in TV advertising in Florida but announced earlier this month a $25 million investment in direct voter contact programs across 10 states, including Florida. Officials with the DSCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
But with just 40 days before Election Day and supervisors of elections set to send out vote-by-mail ballots, the question is whether the funding in the Florida Senate race is coming too late.
Latinos prod party
Latino groups have sent a letter calling on the national Democratic Party “to direct significant resources and investment” to aid Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign, according to NBC News.
“The polls are close,” the letter reads. “Other ballot initiatives give us turnout momentum. Scott does not have the favorability rating of DeSantis or Rubio. Mucarsel-Powell has a compelling story that contrasts with fraudster Rick Scott. And she is motivating the key Latino constituency.
“Now is the time for all of us to make Florida a priority and take action quickly,” they wrote.
Among the groups that signed that letter are Latino Victory Fund, Mi Familia Decide PAC, and Unidos U.S. Action PAC.
Organizations that historically have made financial contributions to Democrats have sat out the past two election cycles. In 2022, when Val Demings ended up losing to Marco Rubio by 16 points, spending from outside groups and PACs was less than $2 million, according to a document from the Florida Democratic Party.
“For the last year, our campaign has been working to reach every voter where they are,” Mucarsel-Powell said in a statement sent to the Phoenix.
“I’ve traveled across the state and heard from Floridians of all backgrounds about the issues that matter most to families. I’ve spoken to Democrats, Republicans, and independents who are all ready to turn the page on Rick Scott’s toxic agenda to ban abortion and cut Social Security and Medicare. We’re making the choice in this election clear, and after 14 years of extremism and failure, Florida will come together in November and retire Rick Scott.”