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Charlie Summers' U.S. Senate campaign is about get another big boost from outside the state, according to the National Journal.

A blog post cites unnamed GOP sources saying the National Republican Senatorial Committee is about to spend more than $500,000 on television and radio ads in Maine over the next two weeks. That's an even bigger investment than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which spent $400,000 for it's anti King TV ad in hopes of creating an opening for Summers.

The sources said the ad will begin airing Wednesday.

According to the National Journal, the new Republican ads may tout Democratic nominee Cynthia Dill as much as attack King. An outside group run by national Republicans activists has already been running pro-Dill ads in hopes of pulling Democratic voters away from King and giving Summers a shot to win.

Here is an excerpt:

"Expect the NRSC advertising to strike a similar balance between boosting Dill and cutting down King. The party doesn't have terribly high hopes for Maine, but they believe they can move the needle, with the goal of converting (presidential candidate Mitt) Romney voters to Summers backers."

While the NRSC ad is expected to make Dill look more attractive to Democratic voters, the group also has launched a new website that appears to be doing the oppositive.

The site, "dillandkingreport.com," has pages, links and videos all criticizing  the "liberal records" of Dill and King. Some of the links do seem more aimed at driving Democratic voters from King to Dill.

Meanwhile, like all of the ads from outside GOP groups, the web site doesn't mention Summers.

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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