The National Rifle Association launched a television ad Wednesday supporting Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R., N.H.), who has been the subject of withering attacks from gun-control groups and negative press coverage since voting against gun control legislation in April.
The TV spot tells viewers to not believe attack ads paid for by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Instead, the NRA ad highlights Ayotte’s votes for several other Republican amendments that would have strengthened funding for mental health services and increased prosecutions for gun crimes.
An NRA spokesman said the group ran the ad “to thank her for her true support of law enforcement and prosecutors.”
The spokesman also said the NRA will engage in a nationwide mailing campaign to members in the coming days, as well as mailers in New Hampshire and Arizona that will include non-members.
Ayotte was the only Republican senator from New England to vote against the background check bill, which was hammered out by Sens. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) and Joe Manchin (D., W.V.).
The bill failed to pass the 60-vote hurdle, with four Democrats also voting against it.
