Clinton ups spending in red states

Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign plans to dump millions of dollars into traditionally red states that are now considered competitive for Democrats due to the struggles of Donald Trump.

The campaign plans to spend money in Arizona, Indiana and Missouri, Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook announced Monday, in a bid to boost her numbers and help Democrats down the ballot.

{mosads}”Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric and deeply disrespectful remarks about Sen. John McCain has made Arizona more competitive,” Mook said in a conference call with reporters. 

The $2 million that the Clinton campaign plans to spend in Arizona highlights the extent to which Democrats are going on offense in the final stretch of the election. The state, which has a rapidly growing Hispanic population, has not gone to a Democratic presidential nominee since 1996.

“This is a state that would really foreclose a path for Donald Trump to win the White House,” Mook said of Arizona, which has 11 Electoral College votes.

First lady Michelle Obama, Chelsea Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will campaign for Clinton in Arizona later this week, Mook said. 

The campaign will also split $1 million in Missouri and Indiana to help Clinton and Democratic campaigns in that state. Both states have Senate races that could be crucial for deciding the majority. 

Acknowledging that it is an “uphill battle” for Clinton to win Indiana and Missouri, Mook said Democrats are “gaining steam” in races for governor and the state legislature.

Mook also announced a $6 million investment in mail and digital ads in the swing states of Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Iowa and New Hampshire. 

The Clinton campaign will also focus resources in two competitive congressional races in Nebraska and Maine. 

“Democrats have a historic opportunity to elect not just the first woman president, but leaders across the country who will work with her to create jobs and get incomes rising,” Mook said.