In an early and aggressive election year move, the U.S. Chamber launched a multistate television ad and grassroots communications blitz in 12 congressional districts and in 8 states with 2012 Senate races. 

Twenty-one television ads are rolling out in 16 states and more than 40 media markets. The voter education ads draw a contrast between leaders who stand up for free enterprise and those who support big government by highlighting issues impacting job creation and economic growth.

Several of the ads note members of Congress who support repeal of President Obama’s health care law, including Reps. Mike Coffman (R - CO), Charlie Bass (R-NH), Robert Dold (R-ILL), Frank Guinta (R-NH), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Fred Upton (R-MI), Dan Lungren (R-CA), Mike Patrick (R-PA), and Sean Duffy (R-WI).

Ads highlighting Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Rep. Rick Berg (R-ND), note their support for the Keystone XL oil pipeline. In the Lugar ad, titled “Dick Lugar for Jobs,” the voiceover notes that Lugar “fights for energy jobs and energy security, even when a president gets in his way.”

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Claire McCaskill (D-MI), Senate candidate Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are singled out for their support of the health care law. The Brown ad, which is the third to run in Ohio, notes that 2.2 million Ohioans rejected government run healthcare.

“American families deserve to know who has the courage to fight for job-creating policies in Washington and who is hurting their pocketbooks,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue.  “We’re asking the public to hold members of Congress accountable for their positions on Obamacare, job-killing regulations, energy security, and a culture of wasteful spending in Washington.”

The U.S. Chamber plans to play a major role nationwide in the 2012 elections, educating voters about candidates who have demonstrated consistent support for America’s job creators and who will work to advance a pro-growth agenda in Congress and those who haven't and won’t. The Chamber seeks to capitalize on its electoral successes of 2010 with an “Advance and Protect” strategy in 2012: advance pro-business interests in the Senate and protect pro-growth gains in the House.

This is the second round of voter education ads the Chamber has run this election cycle. The previous ads included a six-state ad campaign that hit Iowa, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Washington.

The Chamber’s ads can be viewed here.