Democratic super PACs launch digital campaign in three California races

Jessica Estepa | USA TODAY

As part of the effort to retake the House, two Democratic super PACs are targeting Republican candidates in three congressional races in California ahead of next month's primary.

Priorities USA Action and House Majority PAC will dedicate $270,000 for digital ads against the following candidates:

Scott Baugh in California's 48th congressional district, which is currently held by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher

Shawn Nelson in California's 39th, which is held by Rep. Ed Royce

Rocky Chavez in California's 49th, which is held by Rep. Darrell Issa

Royce and Issa have both announced they are retiring from Congress at the end of this year. Rohrabacher has been in office for more than two decades and is running for re-election, but his southern California district went to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and is now considered a tossup.

"House Majority PAC and Priorities USA Action are teaming up for a cutting edge campaign that will work to ensure Southern Californians in these newly competitive congressional districts have the opportunity to vote for a Democrat in November," Charlie Kelly, House Majority PAC executive director, said in a statement.

Democrats face a battle in the upcoming June 5 jungle primary: Ensuring that one of their own is on the ballot, since only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election in November.

"As Democrats work to retake the House this November, we need to make sure that we're maximizing our opportunities to win, which, in California, means ensuring at least one Democrat makes it onto the general election ballot," Patrick McHugh, Priorities USA Action executive director, said in a statement.