Judge Brett Kavanaugh is accused of sexually assaulting a woman more than 30 years ago, when they were both in high school. The allegation is threatening his nomination to the Supreme Court. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo kavanaugh confirmation Judicial Crisis Network to launch $1.5M pro-Kavanaugh ad campaign

Liberal and conservative groups are launching dueling ad campaigns as the Senate litigates Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court amid an allegation of sexual assault when he was in high school.

The Judicial Crisis Network is planning a $1.5 million television ad campaign that will feature a longtime friend of Kavanaugh's, according to a person familiar with the buy.


"We are not going to allow a last-minute smear campaign destroy a good and decent man who has an unblemished personal record," the person said. JCN has already spent millions pressing for the Senate to confirm Kavanaugh after helping install Neil Gorsuch to the court last year and pressuring Republicans to keep Merrick Garland from the Supreme Court in 2016.

Demand Justice, a liberal group, is launching a $700,000 campaign intended to pressure four Republican senators to oppose Kavanaugh. That campaign will target moderate GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, whose votes are crucial for Kavanaugh's confirmation, but they will also single out Cory Gardner of Colorado, who is up for reelection in 2020, and Dean Heller of Nevada, who is facing voters this fall.

Christine Blasey Ford publicly accused Kavanauagh of sexually assaulting her more than 30 years ago, raising questions about whether Kavanaugh's nomination will proceed.

