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EXCLUSIVE: Callahan hitting the airwaves

Democrat John Callahan has made this election season’s first TV advertising buy in the 15th Congressional District, and will be on the air in the Lehigh Valley as early as Thursday morning, a Democratic insider told pa2010.com.

Callahan, the Bethlehem mayor and White House recruit, has been a fundraising star for the Democratic Party as he seeks to unseat Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15). He has kept the money race against the incumbent close, allowing him to go on TV a full two months before Election Day.

The party insider did not disclose the specifics of Callahan’s first ad buy or the substance of the first commercial, but said it would be a “comparative ad”—presumably one that will mention both challenger and incumbent.

The counties in the district comprise a unique media market in Pennsylvania, cheaper than Philadelphia but more expensive than many other districts in the state. Philadelphia’s broadcast networks hit homes in the district, but the local network WFMZ is a news leader. Many cable networks touch areas within the district, but most service comes from one provider.

Callahan’s early ad buy could put the pressure on Dent to hit the airwaves soon himself. The race is currently No. 5 on the pa2010.com Congressional Power Rankings.

September 1, 2010 at 4:50 pm

--Donald Hoegg

Tags: Charlie Dent, John Callahan, PA-15

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