NEW HAMPSHIRE — The Senate Majority PAC has reserved $10.2 million in television advertising this fall to support U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas's bid for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. The reservation is part of a multistate spending plan the PAC announced for eight key states.

The New Hampshire investment was the smallest of the eight states in the announcement. The PAC described the New Hampshire purchase as an "initial" one, indicating that additional television time could be reserved later.

The PAC said it will spend at least $33.4 million in Maine this fall. It also announced television budgets of $46.4 million in Ohio, $31.4 million in South Carolina, $20 million apiece in Michigan and Georgia, $13.4 million in Iowa, and $10.6 million in Alaska.

"Granite Staters are facing rising costs, higher insurance premiums, and are struggling to afford care for their families — all while Sununu and Scott are at one another's throats. Chris Pappas is focused on the issues that matter to New Hampshire voters, and it's why he'll come out ahead come November," said Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Lauren French.

The Republican primary contest for the New Hampshire Senate seat is between former U.S. Sens. John E. Sununu and Scott Brown, both from Rye. The Senate GOP PAC has endorsed Sununu's bid, and President Donald Trump has also endorsed his candidacy.

Sununu for Senate spokesman Mike Schrimpf responded to the reservation. "It's no surprise that Chuck Schumer's cash machine is coming in for Chris Pappas. New Hampshire is a prime pick-up opportunity for Republicans, and Pappas is a partisan Democrat who voted with Nancy Pelosi 222 out of 223 times. John Sununu will be an independent voice who puts New Hampshire first," Schrimpf said.

Pappas will face at least one opponent in the Sept. 8 Democratic primary for the Senate. One opponent is scientist Karishma Manzur of Exeter, who has been endorsed by several peace organizations. The filing period for all primary hopefuls is June 3-12.