We noted yesterday that the House Majority PAC was spending money in Congressional District 2 to help Congressman Ron Barber ward off a challenge from Republican Martha McSally.

The big question in recent weeks had been whether polling showed a race that was close enough that Republican committees would start spending money in support of McSally.

That question has been answered. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Daniel Scarpinato confirms that the NRCC has reserved $255,000 in air time to boost McSally's Southern Arizona campaign. The TV campaign begins Friday, Oct. 5 and is scheduled to continue through Oct. 18.

In other news: The NRCC is also boosting spending in Congressional District 1 in support of Republican Jonathan Paton, who is facing Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick in the sprawling Congressional District 1. The NRCC's initial $900K buy is coming to close, so the committee is adding another $435,000 to the effort.