PROVIDENCE – Some years, you can't avoid a barrage of political ads on your TV.
But this year, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is the first - and so far the only – Rhode Island candidate for a major office headed for the airwaves.
Democrat Whitehouse is seeking a fourth term in the U.S. Senate. Assuming he beats his largely unknown challenger, Michael Costa, in the September Democratic primary, he will face the winner of the GOP primary contest between state Rep. Patricia Morgan and Raymond McKay.
At last report to the Federal Elections Commission, Whitehouse had a significant advantage: $3,724,328 cash-on-hand in his campaign account as of June 30 compared to Costa, who had not raised the minimum that would trigger the reporting requirement. Morgan has so far raised $137,095 and McKay, $16,120.
More: 2024 Olympics: From basketball to sailing and everything in between, how RI is contributing
First ad will air during the Olympics
Whitehouse is set to air a 30-second spot – described as the first, but not necessarily his last, ad of the 2024 campaign season – during the Olympics on Friday night , according to his campaign. His campaign says it has "booked about $225k across the Providence tv market and digital platforms to capitalize on higher viewership during the Olympics.
"The ad premieres [Friday night] and will air through the closing ceremony,'' campaign spokeswoman Laura Fusco said.
In his new ad, Whitehouse says: “Representing Rhode Island in the Senate means I get to get around Rhode Island. I get to see into all of our communities, into our nooks and crannies. And you just can’t help falling in love with Rhode Island."
Of his own role, he says: “I bring to Washington a determination to protect Social Security and Medicare, provide affordable health care, lower costs, and protect abortion rights."
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The first major office RI campaign ad will air during the Olympics tonight. What to know.
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