New SuperPAC jumps into 8th with $810,000 ad buy for Walsh

Yet another SuperPAC has jumped into the 8th Congressional District race between Republican Congressman Joe Walsh and Democrat Tammy Duckworth.

The recently formed Washington, D.C., based group Now or Never — which previously supported Missouri Republican Senate primary candidate Sarah Steeleman — Tuesday released a television ad that paints an overwhelmingly positive picture of the McHenry Republican.

Much like Walsh's first television ad, the $810,000 spot — which the organization says will air on WLS, WGN, WMAQ, WILD, and WBBM TV — highlights the outspoken Tea Partyer's frequent town hall meetings, as well as his decision to turn down congressional benefits.

“Joe Walsh puts jobs first, not himself,” the voice-over reads. “That's the type of congressman we really need.”

As to why the organization chose to jump into the 8th District race, Now or Never spokesman Tyler Harber said only that donors had “interest in a variety of states and races.”

Now or Never is the third SuperPAC to enter into the 8th District race.

The New Prosperity Foundation SuperPAC spent money on mail and advertising in July and August to oppose Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, according to the Federal Election Commission.

San Francisco-based CREDO SuperPAC, which has called Walsh one of the “most odious members of Congress,” has set up a local headquarters in Elk Grove Village and is focused on what spokesman Eric Ming calls a “grass-roots powered campaign” to help defeat him, with staffers tracking and often videotaping Walsh at his frequent town hall meetings. The SuperPAC has spent close to $58,000 in the last two months on payroll, printing and phones. “We're focused on knocking on doors and making phone calls,” Ming said.

Almost immediately following the announcement of the ad Wednesday, Duckworth's campaign sent out an email to supporters titled “Not Welcome Here” asking for help to “fight back against this kind of spending.”

To which Walsh campaign spokesman Justin Roth quipped, “I don't recall Ms. Duckworth being upset when (Credo) spends all of their resources on negative attacks against Congressman Walsh.”

The 8th District includes portions of Northwest Cook, eastern Kane and central DuPage counties.