SAGINAW, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, the Democrats are wasting no time in targeting former President Donald Trump with a series of ads already running in Michigan focusing on abortion rights and the potential threats another four years of Trump could pose to women nationwide.

This initiative comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, which has significantly heightened the stakes surrounding abortion rights.

Who is running the ads?

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American Bridge 21st Century (AB PAC), a prominent Democratic super PAC, kicked off their $140 million ad campaign in key battleground states, including Michigan, about four weeks ago. These ads are part of a broader effort to sway suburban women voters who are seen as critical to the upcoming election. The primary audience mostly consists of white women over 30.

According to Wikipedia, the AB PAC is largely funded by wealthy Democratic donors, labor unions, and other PACs. Originally founded by David Brock in 2010, AB PAC describes itself as the “largest research, video tracking and rapid response organization in Democratic and progressive politics.” Also on their website, they say “we find what Republicans are hiding and make sure voters hear about it.”

Brock also founded Media Matters with the help of Center for American Progress (CAP) which was created by longtime Clinton family confidant John Podesta. The action fund for the organization (CAP Action) was established by Podesta and liberal billionaire George Soros, who has been a financial supporter of AB PAC.

Where are the ads running?

The AB PAC’s strategic ad campaign is airing in less saturated media markets across Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The focus is on reaching swing voters, particularly women who might be undecided or disillusioned with Trump. The group is appealing to what the Washington Post calls “2 million persuadable voters.”

Real stories, real impact.

One of the standout features of this campaign is its reliance on personal testimonials. American Bridge 21st Century has recruited hundreds of individuals willing to share their deeply personal stories about how another Trump administration could negatively impact their lives. These narratives are being delivered through a variety of media, including television, radio, digital platforms, and mail.

Eva Kemp, the vice president of campaigns at AB PAC, explains the importance of relatable voices in these ads saying, ”People “want to hear from voters that look like them, that have similar stories.”

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The group’s extensive outreach efforts have identified over 1,500 potential participants across the three states, ensuring a diverse range of voices and experiences.

Targeting key voter demographics.

The ads are specifically designed to resonate with women in rural and exurban areas (a district outside a city), who are often less exposed to political advertising. This demographic is crucial, as they have historically shown varied support between Democratic and Republican candidates.

By focusing on emotional and authentic storytelling, the campaign aims to connect with voters on a personal level, highlighting the tangible consequences of policy decisions.

Bradley Beychok, co-founder of American Bridge 21st Century, highlights the significance of these efforts saying, “Through our organizing efforts, we’ve recruited hundreds of people living in these battleground states, who were willing to share their stories about why another Trump White House would be so devastating for them.” He believes this approach will be instrumental in swaying undecided voters come Election Day.

Beychok also told the Huffington Post earlier in the year that Trump “is a scary thing to a lot of voters, particularly to women, especially when he is the face and brand of banning abortion nationwide.”

Speaking for himself, Trump has not endorsed a national abortion ban and has, instead, supported states rights on the issue. On Truth Social, he said, “Many people have asked me what my position is on abortion and abortion rights. My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land – in this case, the law of the state.”

Broader campaign strategy.

The initial focus on abortion rights is just the beginning of a larger strategy from AB PAC. Future ads will address other critical issues such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), democracy, and freedom.

The goal is to reach voters who may not be closely following the election but are deeply concerned about the implications of another Trump presidency.

By targeting areas like Flint, Saginaw, and Bay City in Michigan, the Democrats aim to chip away at Trump’s support base in regions that played a pivotal role in the 2016 and 2020 elections. The Michigan ad below has played in the Traverse City market several times over the past 24 hours and is, no doubtedly, being used in those other markets mentioned.

Getting a jump on the competition.

The launch of these ads marks a significant escalation in the Democrats’ efforts to counter Donald Trump’s influence in key battleground states. With a substantial budget and a focus on personal, emotionally resonant stories, AB PAC is aiming to make a decisive impact on the 2024 election.

An exclusive Michigan News Source poll conducted by Mitchell Research shows that Trump continues to lead Biden 1.2% in Michigan in a five-way race that includes Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The polling also shows that when asked about the most important issues facing the United States right now, abortion was only polling at 6%.

However, the issue brought out a significant amount of issue-voters in the November 2022 election that gave control of the Michigan state government to Democrats and the Democrats, both in Michigan and nationwide, are planning to make the issue of abortion front and center again this November.