Bush Super PAC Delays Super Tuesday Ad Buy Again

Right to Rise, the super PAC backing Jeb Bush’s campaign, is for the second time delaying its planned television ad campaign in the Super Tuesday states as it focuses on the critical race in South Carolina.

According to a person familiar with the decision, the ads for the March 1 races—when 571 pledged delegates will be bound across 13 states—will be delayed until after the South Carolina primary on Saturday. A Right to Rise spokesman said the delay will help it determine where to prioritize spending in the coming primaries.

The decision follows a similar move announced on Feb. 10, when the group announced it would shift another $1.7 million into the Palmetto State by delaying ads in Virginia, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan and Idaho. The super PAC has already spent about $10 million in South Carolina.

The delay will not result in a boost in South Carolina advertising, where Bush is locked in a pitched battle to out-place Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich in hopes of establishing himself as the lead alternative to real estate mogul Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

A strong finish in the state, where Bush has called in his brother, former President George W. Bush, will be necessary to keep Bush’s beleaguered candidacy afloat after lackluster finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. It was not immediately clear whether there will be an increase in Nevada, the final state to vote before the March 1 contests.

The group is currently airing an ad featuring former President George W. Bush in the state, along with spots critical of Bush’s rivals for refusing to stand up to Trump and another blasting Trump on eminent domain. On Monday, the group announced a new radio ad highlighting Trump’s frequent use of expletives.