Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE's (I-Vt.) campaign revealed on Tuesday it will launch a $2.5 million television ad buy in California and Texas, marking the campaign's first ad buy in the Super Tuesday states.

"It is thanks to our grassroots donors that we can make big investments in the vital states of California and Texas," Sanders's campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, said in a statement.

California and Texas are two of the largest delegate prizes in the party's primary.

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News of the launch comes as Sanders leads in the Democratic primary pack in a number of state polls ahead of the first nominating contests.

A new Los Angeles Times survey showed Sanders leading in California with 26 percent support ahead of the state's Super Tuesday primary on March 3.

Sanders appears to face more of an uphill climb in Texas. A CNN poll released last month showed Sanders in second place behind former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE with 15 percent support.

If Sanders performs well in the early Democratic nominating contests, he could sustain enough momentum going forward into Super Tuesday.

A New York Times–Siena College survey released last week showed Sanders leading in Iowa with 25 percent support, while a CNN survey showed Sanders leading with 25 percent support in New Hampshire.

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However, the progressive senator, along with a number of his competitors, will have to contend with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergTop Democratic super PAC launches Florida ad blitz after Bloomberg donation The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Latest with the COVID-19 relief bill negotiations The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida MORE, who has poured millions into the Super Tuesday states.

Bloomberg, a billionaire who is not fundraising, has already spent $270 million on advertising across the country ahead of the primary contests.

His efforts appear to be paying off in polls. A new Morning Consult survey shows him surpassing former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Bogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq MORE with 12 percent support nationally.