Hopeful takes to the air in run for Carney’s seat

In a famous episode of “Seinfeld,” the “show about nothing,” Jerry asks George why anybody would watch. George’s response is, “Because it’s on TV.”

Mark Harris, deputy campaign manager for Republican congressional candidate Chris Hackett, understands that philosophy. It’s one of the reasons he has taken Hackett’s campaign onto the airwaves.

“That’s very true; people do watch TV,” Harris said. “We feel it’s the best method where Chris shines the most and comes across as the clear conservative choice in the race.”

Hackett, who is seeking his party’s nod for the 10th District seat, started running the TV ads on Thursday. He has been running radio ads for a few months.

The four other candidates – Dan Meuser, Paul Swiderski, Donald Ely and Davis Haire – haven’t started advertising.

The winner of the Republican primary election will likely face Democratic freshman Chris Carney of Dimock Township. So far, Carney is unopposed for his party’s nomination. The primary is on April 22.

Thirty-three-year-old Swiderski, who calls himself the midde-class candidate, commended Hackett for taking the lead.

“I think it’s a smart move,” said Swiderski, a self-employed accountant. “He was the first candidate to announce he was running for the seat, and now he’s the first one to use radio and television ads. I think it’s great marketing on his part.”

Hackett will spend about $10,000 this week on TV ads, Harris said. The commercials coincide with coverage of the Iowa caucuses. That means politically minded people will be tuned in, he said.

He termed the television contract “a district-wide cable buy.” He would not reveal the total amount spent but said it was “substantial.”

Swiderski said he is staying with a grassroots campaign, traveling throughout the district to meet constituents.

Meuser, of Harveys Lake, said his campaign strategy will include TV advertising.

“We have a game plan that’s designed to win the primary in the strongest manner possible, and we are primarily designed to win the general election,” Meuser said. “We will remain focused on growing our grassroots support throughout the entire 10th District by continuing to visit every county.”

Meuser said he and his staff are intent on winning “the ground war” and are prepared to win “the air war,” noting that he has the resources to accomplish those goals.

“Absolutely, we will run TV ads,” Meuser said. “We have a media plan, which has been designed to assure we gain the highest level of name recognition that we can. Again, our media plan needs to be coupled with our grassroots strategy, and when the two come together, it will give us the support we need to be successful.”

“In this congressional district, I think radio ads would be more effective,” Ely said. “We really don’t have a local TV station down here. I suppose it would help in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.”

Haire, a Tunkhannock optometrist, said he just started formulating his campaign strategy.

“We will be running TV ads, but I will announce those plans when it’s appropriate,” Haire said. “I will rely on the experts to help me to make that decision.”