First, they came for your mailbox. Then your favorite television station. Now they are after the cord-cutters and seek to dominate your favorite streaming media format as well as your social-media channels.
Welcome to the new reality as local and national political ads begin to dominate the airwaves.
In addition to ads from Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton running during the Democratic National Convention, several local races have begun to run ads.
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, who is running for re-election in Congressional District 2, announced her campaign has reserved time to run ads during the Olympics.
The six-figure ad buy for the freshman Republican, her first in this election cycle, is estimated to be worth $350,000 and will run on both broadcast and cable TV.
Her campaign also will air ads on other platforms, including radio stations in Pima and Cochise counties.
One of McSally’s would-be Democratic rivals, Matt Heinz, is also on the airwaves with his first ad buy.
His 30-second spot, titled “Oath,” has already begun to play on local airwaves and is scheduled to play during commercial breaks for “Inside Edition,” the “Today” show and “Saturday Night Live.”
Congressional District 1 GOP candidate Wendy Rogers has also bought air time for late July and early August, scheduling ads to run during local news shows.
In Arizona’s U.S. Senate race, both John McCain and his rival from the Democratic Party, Ann Kirkpatrick, have reserved ad time.
Tucson presence
felt in Philadelphia
In addition to the delegates hailing from the Old Pueblo, there were a number of notable locals on the stage at the Democratic National Convention.
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords took the stage during prime time with her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly.
Noting that speaking is difficult for her, Giffords wowed the crowd by saying, “Come January, I want to say these two words: ‘Madam President.’”
Also taking the stage was U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva.
Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild was part of a panel discussion on infrastructure, talking up the city’s modern streetcar and the impact it has had on downtown development.
Also was on hand was former Rep. Ron Barber, who said he remains passionately committed to gun control reform.
Still a maverick
Sen. McCain visited Tucson on Thursday and to beat the heat, the 79-year-old chatted with supporters while campaign staffers scooped up ice cream.
You might blame the heat for McCain saying he would “Make America great again,” borrowing the phrase from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
But that love fest didn’t last long, with McCain voicing deep criticism of Trump for his stance on NATO.
McCain then criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Then President Obama.
And Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
OK, he still is a maverick.
