Frank and Gary

Yesterday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee dropped another $18 million on 20 House races.

While this push mostly included those who had been passed over for the $35 million ad-buy, yet again, First district Democrat Frank Kratovil – the would-be delegation-mate of the powerful DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer – was not selected.

He and Gary Trauner, who is again seeking the Wyoming at-large seat after falling 1,000 votes short in 2006, are the only members of the DCCC’s ‘Red-to-Blue’ roster who have not had an ad buy in their districts this cycle.

One theory is that these initial buys are taking place in media markets with lots of hot races, and the national organizations are seeking to take advantage of the lock in ad rates before they go up in the fall. On the opposite end of the spectrum, places without competitive Senate, presidential or gubernatorial races – like, oh, say, Maryland or Wyoming – will have lots of cheap political units available come the fall.

By law, the campaigns have no input into what the DCCC does with its money in buys like this, so they can only guess as to what the rationale is. “There will be plenty more ad buys yet to come.” Kratovil campaign manager Tim McCann said.

“It's no secret this was one of the later-breaking races to be added to the Red to Blue list, but as Frank's fundraising continues to grow there is going to be an increased focus on the pickup opportunity here in the First District.”