Chamber spending early for GOP Senate candidates

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will spend $1 million on television and digital ads for Republican Senate candidates in critical races in Illinois and Nevada, according to Federal Election Commission documents filed this week.

The Chamber is putting $550,000 behind ads for Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who is seeking reelection in a solidly blue state during a presidential election year in which turnout could favor Democrats.

{mosads}The 30-second ad touts Kirk as a “fighter” and “independent leader,” and seeks to highlight his time in the military.

The Chamber is also spending $400,000 on ads for Rep. Joe Heck, (R-Nev.) who is running to replace retiring Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in Nevada. Heck could represent the best chance Republicans have at picking up a seat in 2016 that is currently held by Democrats.

The 30-second ad for Heck, a former Army doctor, also seeks to highlight his military service.

“Those on the battlefield call him general. In the combat hospital they call him doctor. In Nevada, they call him Joe Heck,” the ad states.

Democrats need to net five seats to win back the Senate.

Earlier this month, the Chamber spent $1 million on ads for Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). Both senators face difficult reelection bids in important swing states.