One of the main super PACs backing Ted Cruz is doubling its amount of television advertising two weeks before Republicans begin casting votes.
Keep the Promise I, a super PAC funded by New York hedge funder Bob Mercer, said Monday that it would air an extra $2.5 million in television time in Iowa and South Carolina, its biggest buy yet. The super PAC is one of several supporting Cruz that have largely been reluctant to sink major resources into television time.
Cruz has predicted in recent weeks that he expects to be beset by “millions of dollars of attack ads” now that he’s topping polls in Iowa and in second place nationally. Some Cruz allies have been critical of how slow the groups have been to spend their flush cash reserves on advertising time.
“Ted Cruz is a top-tier contender facing vicious attacks designed to frighten voters rather than inform them,” said Kellyanne Conway, the group’s head, said in a statement.
In recent days, the super PACs have begun ramping up their expenditures on Cruz’s behalf, including buying $750,000 on radio advertising on Monday.
The Cruz super PACs are also scheduled to host Cruz in two events in Iowa on Saturday, only the second time that the super PACs have hosted the candidate, with whom they are prohibited from coordinating on strategy.