O'Donnell launches first TV ad of the general election, plans more than $2M in spending

Video game composer Marty O'Donnell, the GOP nominee in the state's most competitive House district, is out with his first TV ad of the general election. 

"Tune," shared first with The Nevada Independent, features the Republican running in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District playing the piano on a small stage as he berates Congress and the state of the economy. 

"This piano's in tune because I take care of it," he says in the ad. "Neglect it, and nothing sounds right. That's our economy. Congress neglects us while lining their pockets, self-dealing, insider trading, while you do more with less. One good job used to buy a home, fill your tank, raise a family. Not any more."

The song O'Donnell plays in the ad echoes soundtracks he composed for the popular Halo and Destiny video game series, the latter alongside Paul McCartney. 

The new spot begins running Wednesday as part of a six-figure spend, a campaign spokesperson said. That's on top of a nearly $2 million ad buy O'Donnell made beginning in September. 

His opponent, Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV), has reserved her own $2.3 million dollar ad buy for the fall. Between the two campaigns and outside groups, ad spending and reservations in the district has already surpassed $9 million.

Democrats are expected to perform well in November and Lee has won re-election in years that seemed less favorable. The Cook Political Report rates her seat "Lean D," though it is the most competitive in Nevada. National strategists are watching the district closely. 

Polling has shown Nevada voters see the economy and housing affordability as top issues this year as inflation and a lack of wage growth squeezes the middle class. Meanwhile, Congress' approval rating fell to a 12-year low in April. Though Republicans control Congress, O'Donnell's new ad weaponizes anger at the institution against the incumbent, slamming her for trading stocks. 

Both Lee and O'Donnell have multimillion-dollar net worths, per their financial disclosures. 

After placing fourth in the 2024 Republican primary for the seat, O'Donnell injected $3 million of his own money into his current campaign. With endorsements from President Donald Trump and Gov. Joe Lombardo (R), he easily cleared the June 9 primary. 

He plans to speak at Trump's event in Las Vegas on Wednesday.