Bloomberg focuses on Florida Hispanics with new $8 million Spanish ad blitz
The influx of Michael Bloomberg election cash in Florida is yielding yet another million dollar ad buy to make the case for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, this time in a $6 million Spanish-language TV and radio blitz that will run in major media markets throughout the key battleground state.
Priorities USA Action, the largest Democratic super PAC in the country, is teaming up with Latino Victory Fund to launch a series of Spanish ads on stations in Miami, Tampa and Orlando, focusing on the state’s Hispanic voters. Priorities is spending $4 million on TV ads and $2 million on the radio programs.
Among the issues featured in the ads, which will begin to air Friday, Sept. 25, and run through Election Day, will be the toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Latino communities and how the administration of President Donald Trump has disproportionately affected Hispanics, according to Priorities USA spokesperson Josh Schwerin.
Is Bloomberg breaking Florida law if he helps felons pay fines, fees? Inquiry ordered.
The new buy comes after the former New York City mayor announced 10 days ago that he was pledging $100 million to defeat Trump in the Sunshine State, which aides to Bloomberg have stressed is key to a Democratic win. Last Thursday, Bloomberg’s aides released details of his plan to flood Florida’s airwaves, touting an initial $5.4 million, weeklong ad campaign on TV, and teasing additional ads.
“President Trump has fueled division in our country including through his relentless attacks on the Hispanic community,” Bloomberg said. “I’m supporting Latino Victory Fund and Priorities USA Action to persuade and mobilize as many voters as possible and make sure that Hispanic voices are heard — and their votes counted.”
On top of the $6 million campaign, Priorities said it is adding another $2 million to its digital ad program to target Hispanic voters, which will be running in tandem with the TV and radio campaign. It is also funded by Bloomberg.
Additionally, Bloomberg has inserted himself into Florida’s fight over restoring voting rights to felons, saying Tuesday he’s raised $20 million to pay the fines and fees of citizens who’ve completed their prison sentences so they can vote in the November election, less than two weeks before the voting registration deadline in Florida.
In a response letter Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said she was ordering an inquiry into the “potential violations of election laws” stemming from the influx of cash.
Latino Victory Fund chair Luis Miranda said in a statement the new ads represented the organization’s “duty” to speak directly with Hispanic voters in Florida about Trump’s “ineffective administration.”
“Thanks to ... Bloomberg’s investment and our partnership with Priorities USA, we will be able to continue our work of bringing the truth to the Hispanic community — who will decide the outcome of this election,” Miranda said.
