The Senate Republicans' campaign arm has begun to reserve almost $28 million in television buys ahead of what's likely to be a brutal battle over the Senate majority.

All but one of the buys are aimed at protecting vulnerable incumbents. A significant investment in Nevada, meanwhile, is part of the GOP's plans to flip the seat after Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid Harry Mason ReidSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Mellman: The likely voter sham Bottom line MORE (D) retires.

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Television spots become more expensive as the general election moves closer, so the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is hoping to lock spots down early to stretch dollars further. Politico first reported the ad placements.

The largest investments, about $6.8 million and $6.7 million, will be spent in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, respectively, to protect GOP Sens. Kelly Ayotte Kelly Ann AyotteBottom line Bottom line Bottom Line MORE (N.H.) and Patrick Toomey Patrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA's bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE (Penn.).

The NRSC is also spending $6.4 million in Nevada to boost the chances of defeating likely Democratic candidate Catherine Cortez Masto, Reid's handpicked successor. Rep. Joe Heck (R) is the favorite to win the GOP primary in the state.

Another $5.9 million will go to Ohio, where Sen. Rob Portman Robert (Rob) Jones PortmanRomney undecided on authorizing subpoenas for GOP Obama-era probes Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery House passes B bill to boost Postal Service MORE (R) faces a challenge against former Gov. Ted Strickland (D).

The group also will spend $2 million in Wisconsin to boost Republican Sen. Ron Johnson Ronald (Ron) Harold JohnsonThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill Second GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP-led panel to hear from former official who said Burisma was not a factor in US policy MORE's chances of beating former Sen. Russ Feingold (D).

"We know that Democrats have their sights set on our majority and we are taking nothing for granted," NRSC spokeswoman Andrea Bozek said in a statement.

"While the DSCC [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] announced today that they are hanging many of their candidates out to dry in supposedly targeted races, we are spending smartly and playing offense. That is a testament to the hard work and strong campaign efforts of our Republican Senators, who have outworked their Democrat opponents up and down the board.”

That's a reference to the DSCC's decision to spend about $40 million on offense in Ohio, New Hampshire and Florida. The group is also defending incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE in Colorado and Reid's vacated seat in Nevada.

The GOP is tasked with defending 24 Senate seats, with as many as nine in play. Democrats only have to defend 10 seats, and all but two are considered relatively safe by most estimates. If Democrats retain control of the White House, and the vice president's tie-breaking vote, the party needs a net gain of just four Senate seats to take over the majority.