Republican group makes final-stretch push for female candidates

Chris Moody
·Political Reporter

A Republican advocacy group that promotes emerging candidates is making a push for female contenders in five House districts.

The YG Network, a nonprofit wing of a GOP organization founded by former aides to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, purchased digital ad space for the candidates. Officials say it's part of an effort to push back against Democrats who allege that Republicans are waging a "war on women."

The group is considering buying television airtime as well.

The ads are part of a $500,000 effort, YG Network senior adviser Brad Dayspring told Yahoo News. They are for Republican candidates Mia Love of Utah, Rep. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Martha McSally of Arizona, Jackie Walorski of Indiana and Rep. Nan Hayworth of New York. They started Wednesday and will air through Election Day. The ad buys range from $15,000 to $40,000 per candidate.

The initiative is a response to a concerted effort on behalf of Democrats and President Barack Obama's re-election campaign to widen their lead among women voters. Much of the paid television and radio spending for Democratic candidates, including the president, has focused on traditionally women's issues such as access to and subsidization for reproductive health-care products, and increased federal enforcement of "equal pay" laws.

Each ad features the same opening and transitions to a unique spot for the individual candidates.

From Hayworth's script:

They keep talking about a "war on women." But it's their policies that have left young women struggling and working harder for less. Five million women are unemployed, and since President Obama took office, 400,000 have lost their jobs.

Nan Hayworth knows how hard it is. Small-town girl, accomplished doctor and mom of two, Nan knows that we have to work harder to create opportunities. In the real "war on women," we need someone to fight for us. Vote for Nan.

As a nonprofit group, YG Network is not legally required to release the names of the donors paying for the ads.