The Democrats' Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has dropped Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu's advertisement reservations ahead of the runoff in December, a move that could endanger her bid for re-election in the state.

The DSCC on Thursday cancelled some US$1.6 million worth of TV advertisements in five of Louisiana's key markets with an additional US$275,000 in cable reservations expected to be withdrawn in the following days, according to sources cited by POLITICO.

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With control of the Senate no longer at stake, the race has become less important for both parties.

DSCC spokesperson Justin Barasky expressed confidence that Landrieu would do well in the runoff. The Louisiana incumbent had survived two election runoffs in the past.

The senator is a "proven runoff winner" and our support is with her 100 percent, Barasky said.

Despite the setback, Landrieu's camp remains positive. The campaign has never been about the party or the money but rather, about the people of Louisiana, Landrieu spokesperson Fabien Levy said.

"We have the passion and energy necessary for victory on December 6," Levy added, "and are confident we will have the necessary resources from Louisiana voters to win."

Meanwhile, Republican opponent Bill Cassidy has been gearing up for the runoff, with US$7.2 million in television broadcasts set to run in the following month.

According to the Associated Press, the GOP senatorial committee made a US$2.8 million ad booking weeks ago, giving Republicans a discounted early bird rate. For her part, Landrieu refused to make reservations past the Nov. 4 airtime and now faces higher ad rates to get her on air for the month-long runoff.

Campaign finance statements as of mid-October place Landrieu's reserves at US$1.6 million and Cassidy's at US$3.1 million.

With the Senate swept up by Republicans, Landrieu has already lost chairmanship of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a main argument she pitched for re-election.

Landrieu has lost her clout and is now a "rank-and-file" member, a Republican Senatorial Committee aide said.

TagsDemocrats, Lousiana runoff, Mary Landrieu, TV ads, U.S. midterm elections, Democrats' Senatorial Campaign Committee, Bill Cassidy