Fredreka Schouten

USA TODAY

Within minutes of President Trump announcing his Supreme Court pick, a deep-pocketed conservative group will launch the first phase of a $10 million campaign to pressure vulnerable Democratic senators to back the nominee, officials said Tuesday.

The initial $2 million advertising buy from the Judicial Crisis Network will target senators up for re-election in 2018 in Missouri, Indiana, North Dakota and Montana. Ads also will run in Washington.

Trump is scheduled to announce his pick at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday.

The GOP has 52 seats in the Senate; 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster.

“Some Senate Democrats already are pushing an obstructionist strategy even before the nominee is announced,” said Carrie Severino, the network’s chief counsel. “Our campaign will be holding the Senate Democrats up in 2018 accountable for their choice.”

Read more:

McConnell: Dems should allow vote on Supreme Court nominee

Trump picks Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court