Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., shown in a Dec. 2012 file photo, is one of the targets of the RNC ads
This post was updated on Jan. 8 at 11:20 a.m. EST
The Republican National Committee launched a new 2014 ad campaign against Democratic incumbents on Tuesday, with commercials that focus on the much-criticized and unfulfilled promise that people could keep their health insurance under Obamacare.
The promise — “if you like your health care plan, you can keep it” — was made repeatedly by President Barack Obama and many other Democrats, and was named the 2013 Lie of the Year by Politifact. Eying the midterm elections, Republicans are airing local media spots in 12 states highlighting the Lie of the Year.
“Democrats are eager to change the subject, but Republicans aren’t going to let that happen,” RNC chairman Reince Priebus told reporters on a conference call. Democrats have recently emphasized income inequality.
“We want to hold Democrats and the president accountable,” Priebus said.
The spots target lawmakers in Louisiana, Virginia, Iowa and Oregon, among other states.
“President Obama and Senator [Mary] Landrieu said if you like your insurance plan you can keep it under Obamacare. They lied to you. Big time,” the ad running in Louisiana says. “2014 is your chance to hold Senator Landrieu accountable. Tell her this is one New Year’s resolution you’re sticking to.”
Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy is running against Landrieu.
Other lawmakers targeted by the ads include Sens, Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Reps. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) and Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.).
The ads will run in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese in states where there are large factions of non-English speaking populations. Though the commercials probably won’t be heard much: the total size of the ad buy is about $3,100, according to a Democrat tracking media buys, a pittance for ad spending. The RNC has not confirmed the size of the ad buy, though a spokesperson says they will run in 40 markets in the 12 states for two days.
“Obamacare is going to be the No. 1 issue of 2014,” Priebus said.
Michael Czin, the National Press Secretary of the Democratic National Committee, responded to the RNC’s recent ad campaigns in a statement sent to TIME.
“Today, more Americans have better, more affordable health care than before thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The GOP shut down the government trying to take it all away,” the statement read. “Now they’re standing in the way of unemployment insurance and an increase in the minimum wage. If that’s the agenda they want to campaign on, they can go right ahead.”
On Jan. 7, this post was updated to include the statement made by Michael Czin, the National Press Secretary of the Democratic National Committee. On Jan. 8, this post was updated to include the cost of the total ad buy, Democrats tracking media buys say the total buy was $3100.