NRCC buys $1 million in anti-Matheson ad time

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Setting down an early marker, House Republicans have reserved nearly $1 million in TV ads targeting Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.The airtime is part of a broader $18 million purchase by the National Republican Congressional Committee in 16 different markets.First reported by Roll Call, the NRCC is spending heavily in Denver, Las Vegas and a bunch of midwestern cities, targeting vulnerable Democrats and protecting freshmen Republicans.The Republican group has locked in $948,000 in Salt Lake City, their latest effort to extract Matheson, a six-term Democrat, from the House. Matheson is running against Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love in what is expected to be one of the most watched House races in the nation.— Matt CanhamTwitter: @mattcanham