Castle Going On Air Before Primary
It looks like Rep. Mike Castle isn't taking his Tea Party Express-backed primary opponent lightly: The Republican has purchased $113K worth of airtime before the primary.
Castle is facing off against Christine O'Donnell on Sept. 14 in the GOP primary for Delaware's open Senate seat.
A Dem source that monitors media buys tells Hotline On Call that Castle has purchased $113K worth of airtime for Aug. 31 to Sept. 6 in the Salisbury, MD, media market. That market broadcasts into southern DE. Castle has also purchased $26K worth of time on cable in New Castle County and $42K on radio.
The buy shows that Castle isn't leaving anything to chance. O'Donnell was initially written off as a long-shot outsider candidate, but she is backed by the Tea Party Express -- the same group that was behind Joe Miller's surprise upset of Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) in AK last week.
The Tea Party Express is preparing to wade into the primary in these final two weeks. The Hill reported earlier this week that the group plans to spend six figures on behalf of O'Donnell.
Castle is a favorite of the GOP establishment, which believes it has a very good shot at picking up Vice Pres. Joe Biden's former Senate seat.
The winner of the Sept. 14 GOP primary will face New Castle Co. Executive Chris Coons (D).