After pulling ads for pro-Trump Blake Masters in Arizona, McConnell super PAC plans $8M October buy

A super PAC linked to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is pulling ad buys for pro-Trump Republican Blake Masters in a competitive U.S. Senate race against Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, but the organization tells Just the News that it still plans to spend $8 million on the race in October.

Masters is reportedly being urged to find ways to raise more funds for his campaign or risk losing to Kelly. According to recent polls, however, Masters is fast closing the gap with Kelly. A Trafalgar Group poll shows Kelly with a 3-point lead. Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up.

Just the News asked the Senate Leadership Fund why it's pulling ad buys for Masters as he gains in the polls in the swing state of Arizona. 

"We're leaving the door wide open in Arizona but we want to move additional resources to other offensive opportunities that have become increasingly competitive, as well as an unexpected expense in Ohio," said Steven Law, the Super PAC's president.  

"We think the fundamentals of this election strongly favor Republicans, we see multiple paths to winning the majority, and we are going to invest heavily and strategically to achieve that goal," Law said in a statement.

Jack Pandol, a spokesperson for the PAC, said the organization is suspending four weeks of television ads in Arizona covering the month of September, but the October four-week reservation of roughly $8 million remains.

"Additionally, our affiliated c4 — One Nation — announced a $1.1 million addition in Arizona Friday," Pandol said. "In total, One Nation has invested $6.3 million in Arizona over the summer through Labor Day."

Just the News asked McConnell's office if he agrees with the Super PAC's decision to axe political ads in Arizona through September, but his office did not respond before press time.