House Dems cancel largest ad reservation

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is throwing in the towel in Virginia, pulling down a $2.8 million ad reservation it had made in order to move that money to protect Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.).

{mosads}The DCCC’s move abandons Fairfax County Commissioner John Foust (D), for whom the committee had placed the largest ad reservation of any seat in the country in the expensive Washington, D.C., media market. Most of that money — $2 million initially — will instead go to try to save Bera, who’s facing a tough race against former Rep. Doug Ose (R-Calif.) in a northern California district.

Two Democratic sources tracking the ad buys confirmed the moves, first reported by Roll Call. 

The open Virginia seat, in a slightly Republican-leaning district long held by retiring Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), had been a top target of both parties since early in the campaign cycle. The move indicates Democrats are conceding former Wolf staffer and Virginia Del. Barbara Comstock (R) is likely to be the district’s next representative.

Recent polling from both parties has found Comstock ahead. Polling in Bera’s race indicates a tight contest.

The DCCC’s decision is its latest from offense to defense, giving up on once-promising open seats in order to protect vulnerable incumbents. The DCCC officially gave up on a number of other districts earlier this week in order to protect incumbents. House Republicans are likely to pick up seats this fall, and the latest moves by outside groups indicate the number of seats may be rising.