Weekly Rundown

And here’s this week’s edition of the NRSC Weekly Rundown:

New Ads: The NRSC launched new ads this week tying red state Democrats to Hillary Clinton. After the failed presidential candidate’s comments calling Trump heartland voters “backwards” surfaced, folks at home will be reminded that their Democratic Senator chose to support Hillary over them.

#ThanksObama: Barack Obama will campaign for red state Senator Claire McCaskill at a glitzy high-dollar fundraiser in Beverly Hills next month. Will the other red state Democrats welcome Obama to their states and remind folks that they voted for his disastrous policies?

#HeidiVotedNo: Vice President Mike Pence was in North Dakota this week highlightingthe success of the GOP tax relief plan Heidi Heitkamp voted against. While in state, the VP highlighted what voters already know— North Dakotans can’t count on Heidi Heitkamp to support their interests.

National: Citing the success of the GOP tax cuts, McDonald’s announced a major $150 million investment to expand its employee education program, which will help nearly 400,000 employees nationwide. The widespread benefits of tax relief continue to help folks across the country.

#NVSen: After progressive LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and billionaire left-wing environmentalist Tom Steyer both announced they’d help Jacky Rosen last week, Rosen headed to California for a fundraiser next to Nancy Pelosi’s hometown. Rosen is making it clear that she represents the liberal interests of Californians, not Nevada families.

#AZSen: Kyrsten Sinema ditched Arizona this recess and headed to San Francisco with her liberal buddies for several swanky high-dollar fundraisers. After her vote against middle class tax cuts, it’s no wonder she’d rather hobnob with California elites than Arizonans.

#NJSen: Hot off the heels of his bribery trial, disgraced Senator Bob Menendez announced his reelection campaign. With an official Senate Ethics Committee investigation still active, it’s clear Menendez is more concerned with saving his own career than with representing New Jerseyans.

#MOSen: At a forum this week, Claire McCaskill advocated for statehood for DC, claiming DC voters aren’t able to vote for president (please see the 23rd Amendment for details). Then, the DC Council sent out a tweet thanking her for fighting for Washington. Maybe Claire can represent the District when she’s voted out of office come November?

#WISen: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel called out Tammy Baldwin for blaming her rock bottom approval ratings on “the Koch Brothers” and the “out of state special interests,”highlighting that liberal dark money groups have already spent nearly $4 million to prop up Baldwin so far this cycle.

#OHSen: Sherrod Brown is bringing his DC boss back to Ohio. New York liberal Chuck Schumer will be holding his 2nd Ohio fundraiser this year for the vulnerable incumbent. Brown is one of the most reliable liberal votes in the Senate, so expect to see Schumer raising campaign cash for his good friend often.

NEWS AND NOTES:

The Hill: Senate Republican campaign arm hits Dem senators over Clinton remarks

Senate Republicans’ campaign arm is out with a new suite of digital ads Monday that ties red-state Democrats to dismissive comments from Hillary Clinton about supporters of President Trump. READ

Roll Call: NRSC Ties Red-State Democrats to Hillary Clinton in New Digital Ads

For the first time this election cycle, the National Republican Senatorial Committee launched ads tying vulnerable Senate Democrats to a familiar GOP foe: Hillary Clinton. READ

Bismarck Tribune: In Fargo, Pence touts Trump agenda, blasts Heitkamp

“Heidi Heitkamp hasn’t put North Dakota first,” Pence told a crowd at a hotel ballroom on the western edge of Fargo. He criticized her votes on abortion, the Affordable Care Act, the Republican tax plan and methane flaring.  READ

The Hill: Dems face difficult choices on resources in battle for Senate

Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) is facing pressure from vulnerable incumbents and hopeful challengers about where to spend the party’s limited resources in this fall’s midterms. READ

ABC News: McCormick offers employee bonuses on tax cut benefit

The spice-maker is offering $1,000 bonuses to eligible hourly employees and says it plans to “accelerate” wage increases. READ

Atlanta Business Chronicle: Southwire to pay workers $9 million in bonuses, benefits thanks to tax reform

Full-time U.S. employees, not including executives and upper management, will each get a $1,000 bonus. READ

Washington Examiner: GOP tax overhaul will cut taxes for two-thirds of households this year: Analysis

The new tax law will directly cut the taxes of nearly two-thirds of households this year, according to a new analysis released Wednesday by the nonprofit Tax Policy Center.READ

The Hill: Jobless claims drop to lowest level since 1973

U.S jobless claims dropped to 215,000 last week, the lowest level since 1973, the Labor Department revealed Thursday. READ

NBC News: Vulnerable Senate Democrats feel the heat from 2020 hopefuls

As nearly a dozen Senate Democrats face difficult re-election races in diverse states, others are shoring up the party’s progressive base, potentially with eyes on jumping into the next presidential sweepstakes. READ

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