(CNN)Republican operatives linked to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have launched a new super PAC focused on keeping the Senate in GOP hands in 2016, when they'll face a much tougher map and a political climate that favors Democrats. The new super PAC, called the Senate Leadership Fund, will work with American Crossroads, another major GOP super PAC, to defend Republican-held seats and help nominate the most electable candidates in primaries to contest Democratic-held seats, according to a source familiar with the group's plans. The source said the group will operate largely in general election and open-seat primary battles, but may also engage in defense of incumbents facing primary challenges.
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Allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are launching a super PAC focused on Senate races
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Their aim is to keep the Senate in GOP hands as Republicans face a tough map for 2016
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The group will coordinate with American Crossroads, another GOP super PAC
Senate Leadership Fund will aim to pick up some of the slack at the @placeholder level, and will coordinate messaging, media buys and fundraising with American Crossroads.