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In the flurry of divisive Republican primary contests, some Democrats see an inviting opportunity: A chance to try and help pick their own opponent in Senate and House races.

Democrats increasingly are running ads against GOP candidates even before they win their partys nomination. By attacking GOP candidates while they are still embroiled in a primary election campaign, some Democrats have seen an opportunity to promote the GOP candidate they think is easiest to beat, or to weaken the one they consider strongest.

Its a tactic that has been tried mostly in Senate races, most recently by Sen. Kay Hagan, who attacked her leading GOP opponent, Thom Tillis, just before the Republican primary. In response, an ad for Mr. Tillis accused Democrats of meddling in our primary to get a weak opponent for Kay Hagan. He went on to win the primary anyway.

A more effective use of the tactic came in 2012 when Sen. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.) ran an ad that boosted the profile of the most conservative candidate in a contested GOP primary, Rep. Todd Akin, whom she went on to beat in the general election. In 2010, a group with links to Sen. Harry Reid (D., Nev.) ran an attack ad against an establishment-backed Republican, Sue Lowden, that contributed to her defeat by a tea-party candidate who was then beat by Mr. Reid.

Now, even some House races feature Democrats weighing in on GOP primaries. In Ohio, just days before a GOP primary that pitted centrist Rep. David Joyce against tea-party backed Matt Lynch, the Democratic candidate in that House race ran an ad spotlighting Mr. Lynchs conservative record.

A spokesman for the Democrat, Michael Wager, said the ad about Mr. Lynch was designed just to tell voters just how conservative his record is, including the endorsement from tea-party, antiabortion and gun rights groups. However, Republicans saw it as a ploy to boost Mr. Lynchs profile among the party because Democrats considered him easier to beat. Mr. Joyce ended up winning the primary by a 55%-45% margin.

Still, a national Democratic official said it is likely that more and more Democrats will take a stab at replicating successes like Ms. McCaskills in shaping the outcome of GOP primaries. Its a tactic people want to replicate and make successful all over the country, said this official. To the extent you can pick your opponent, its smart politics.

In Arizona, a GOP House candidate believes that is why he is being targeted by Democratic attack ads fully four months before the states Aug. 26 primary. Andy Tobin, Arizona House speaker, is the candidate seen as the partys establishment favorite in a crowded candidate field of Republicans challenging Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, one of Democrats most vulnerable incumbents. Mr. Tobin alone among the GOP challengers has been attacked in ads from the Democrats House Majority PAC.

Matt Thornton, a spokesman for the House Majority PAC, said the ad was designed to counter the influx of ads from outside conservative groups that have already been attacking Ms. Kirkpatrick.

But Craig Handzlik, a Tobin campaign spokesman, views the ads as a clear sign that Democrats view Mr. Tobin as the strongest candidate in the field.

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Democrats Dip Into GOP Primaries, Try to Pick Their Opponent