Clinton to air ads in Wisconsin, Arizona

Madison — In another sign of how unlikely this election has become, Hillary Clinton's campaign is airing its first television ads of the general election in Wisconsin Monday — at the same time as the Democratic presidential nominee is putting up ads in Arizona, a traditionally safe state for Republicans.

The move is a reminder that Wisconsin — one of the nation's biggest traditional White House battlegrounds — is now competing for attention in 2016 from candidates with states that have not historically been as competitive for presidential contests.

Clinton has had an advantage in both polling and fundraising numbers in recent months over Republican Donald Trump, a real estate developer. Polling in recent days has shown a slight tightening of the race nationally after two strong weeks for Clinton, a former secretary of state.

In a statement, Clinton's Wisconsin campaign director Jake Hajdu said that the ads are aimed in part at helping other Democrats like former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who is running in a rematch this year against GOP U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson.

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The Clinton campaign did not release the size of the ad buy but said it was seeking to buy them and have them air as soon as Friday. The three ads would be running in the Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay markets at a cost of at least $100,000.

"Hillary Clinton and our coordinated campaign have been running hard in Wisconsin for months talking with voters about her plans to build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. Wisconsin Democrats have competitive races to win across the state and Hillary Clinton is committed to electing Russ Feingold and Democrats up and down the ballot to help her make a real difference for families in Wisconsin," Hajdu said in a statement.

In past presidential contests, campaigns have typically aired ads well before the final two weeks of the race. The Trump campaign, which has already aired ads in Wisconsin, said it was a sign that Clinton's lead here is shrinking.

"It's much closer than people think. It's a mistake for anyone to write off Wisconsin,” said Pete Meachum, state director for the Trump campaign. "We're going to have the resources to win here."