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Trump begins spending on television ads in Wisconsin

Trump begins spending on television ads in Wisconsin
Posted at 11:35 AM, Oct 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-12 12:36:01-04

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Donald Trump has begun spending money on advertising in Wisconsin, part of his renewed focus on the state after House Speaker Paul Ryan distanced himself from the Republican presidential nominee.

Kantar Media's political ad tracker showed Wednesday that Trump has reserved about $600,000 in airtime over the next few weeks. Trump's campaign had not spent anything on ads in the state until this week and Democrat Hillary Clinton has yet to spend any money on ads in Wisconsin or campaigned in the state.

Clinton has never trailed in Wisconsin based on polls released by the Marquette University Law School. Its latest survey was to be released Wednesday.

Trump is slated to campaign in Wisconsin on Monday, but he has not released details about where or when. He had planned to attend a Republican unity rally in southeast Wisconsin last weekend, but Ryan revoked the invitation.

Some Trump supporters heckled Ryan Saturday at the rally.

Ryan told fellow House Republicans Monday that he will no longer defend or campaign with Trump in the wake of Trump's predatory and crude comments about women. But Ryan has not pulled his support for Trump.

Other prominent Wisconsin Republicans, including Sen. Ron Johnson, are also sticking by Trump with the election less than a month away. Gov. Scott Walker helped Trump's running mate Mike Pence prepare for the vice presidential debate.

Trump is airing several different ads in Wisconsin. Among them is one attacking Clinton's record and comments, including her statement calling half of Trump's supporters "deplorable." Another ad he's running in the state is a positive spot touting Trump's tax cut plans.

Clinton's Wisconsin campaign spokeswoman Gillian Drummond did not immediately respond to a request for comment. While Clinton has not campaigned in the state, she has sent a number of surrogates in recent days including her husband former President Bill Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.