Republican super PAC misplaces Maine Senate attack ad in Portland, Oregon

Defending Main Street, a super PAC that bills itself as the most effective independent expenditure group for the governing wing of the Republican Party, purchased a digital attack spot against Democratic Senate hopeful Troy Jackson. The ad, which warned that "Maine can’t afford Troy Jackson and all his taxes," was intended for Portland, Maine, but Google Ads Transparency Center data reveal it was served to audiences in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas, accumulating over one million views.

The spend, estimated between $20,000 and $25,000, occurred from Oct. 8 to Oct. 11 across numerous ZIP codes in Oregon and Washington. Maine campaign staff and the candidates did not respond to comment requests. Andy O’Brien, a Jackson supporter, highlighted the blunder as evidence that the super PAC’s backers lack basic knowledge of Maine politics, and he expressed relief that the money was wasted outside the state. The mix-up underscores the challenges of targeting digital political ads accurately in a high-spending Senate race.