In latest ad, Heck promises to preserve Medicare, Social Security

By Megan Messerly

Published Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 | 7 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 | 1:07 p.m.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe Heck’s second television ad of the general election hits the airwaves today as he continues in a tight race against Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto.

The ad, titled “Promise,” highlights Heck’s experience as a physician and emphasizes the importance of Medicare for seniors. Heck explains in the ad how Medicare covered his father when he needed emergency surgery.

"That’s why I’ll protect Medicare and preserve it for future generations,” Heck says.

Heck, a Republican congressman, has served as a volunteer firefighter and ambulance attendant, a Search & Rescue team member, and a SWAT physician. He is also a U.S Army brigadier general.

Heck’s campaign plans to spend $425,000 to $450,000 on the ad, building upon a $700,000 buy the campaign announced earlier this month with its first ad, titled “This We’ll Defend,” which focuses on his military service.

In total, the campaign plans to spend $1.36 million on television advertisements this month.

The race between Heck and Cortez Masto to replace retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Harry Reid is considered one of the most important Senate races to watch this cycle. A recent KTNV/Rasmussen Reports poll showed Heck neck-and-neck with Cortez Masto, 42 to 41 percent.

Meanwhile, two groups opposing Heck are up on the air with new ads today attacking the Republican congressman.

An ad from the Senate Majority PAC accuses Heck of wanting to privatize Social Security — a claim that Politifact has ruled mostly false.

The PAC plans to spend about $670,000 on the ad buy.

A second ad, from End Citizens United, highlights campaign donations Heck received from oil and gas companies, Wall Street, and the wealthy Koch brothers.

The group is spending $1.5 million statewide on television ads on broadcast and cable in Las Vegas and Reno from today through September.