GOP group launches TV ads against Stumbo in eastern Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – A national group of Republican state leaders has paid for a TV ad criticizing Kentucky Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo.

The Republican State Leadership Committee is backing the commercial with a $50,000 ad buy. It will air on eastern Kentucky’s broadcast TV stations for the next week. It criticizes Stumbo for his support of Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and their energy policies that affect the state’s coal industry.

The Republican Party of Kentucky aired a similar radio ad against Stumbo in August. Stumbo said “no one has fought harder for coal” than he has.

The Kentucky House is the last legislative chamber in the South still controlled by Democrats. Republicans need to pick up four seats on Nov. 8 to win a majority for the first time since 1920.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.