Impeach Campaign Launching Ads To Pressure Rep. Neal

Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer's campaign to remove President Trump from office will land in Springfield this week where "Need to Impeach" will begin a two-week ad campaign designed to organize Congressman Richard Neal's constituents behind the immediate impeachment of Trump.

The six-figure ad campaign comes ahead of a town hall scheduled for later this month in Springfield where Steyer, a liberal philanthropist and Democratic fundraiser, will talk about the need to impeach Trump.

"It's time to hold Donald Trump accountable. We can do our part here in Massachusetts. All we need is our Congressman, Richard Neal, to be with us," the narrator of the ad begins.

The 30-second spot is scheduled to air for 14 days on Springfield television stations. Neal's is one of five districts held by key members of the House leadership team that Need to Impeach is targeting as part of a $40 million investment from Steyer to impeach Trump, according to recent reports in The Hill.

The other members include Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York, Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California, Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings of Maryland, and Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters of California.

Neal has taken over as chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in the new Congress.

"Neal can subpoena Trump's tax returns and vote to start impeachment hearings against the most lawless and corrupt president in American history," the ad narrator says.

Neal has said in the past that he is interested in requesting Trump's tax returns, but believes Democrats should wait to see the full findings of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation before deciding whether to proceed with impeachment.

Steyer, of California, considered running for president in 2020, but opted against it. Northwind Strategies founder Doug Rubin, who has advised Deval Patrick and Elizabeth Warren, was brought on by Steyer as part of that exploration and remains involved in his efforts with Need to Impeach.

Need to Impeach also plans to bring on paid staff in Neal's western Massachusetts district to organize door-to-door canvassing in support of its efforts. The town hall with Steyer in Springfield has been scheduled for Feb. 12.