Election energy revs up on abortion policy

"The Supreme Court vacancy pours rocket fuel on the 2020 election," said Tony Perkins, president of FRC Action, the lobbying arm of the anti-abortion Family Research Council.

President Donald Trump’s appointment to replace Ginsburg is expected to strengthen the high court’s conservative tilt and is a reminder of the power of the judiciary on all levels. The Montana contest — along with Senate efforts in Arizona, Maine and North Carolina — is pivotal to which party controls the Senate and, ultimately, the confirmation of federal judges who could determine the fate of legalized abortion.

Both sides committed earlier this year to spending record amounts of money to target key voters and have intensified their fundraising pushes since Ginsburg’s death last week. SBA List and its partner super PAC, Women Speak Out, planned to spend $52 million for this cycle, nearly triple the amount it spent in 2016. Since Ginsburg's death, the group said it would spend another seven-figure amount in new contributions to push for the confirmation of Trump's nominee.

Planned Parenthood initially budgeted $45 million, 50 percent more than its $30 million spending in 2016. Planned Parenthood Votes announced a new six-figure ad buy on Tuesday that the group says aims to protect Ginsburg's legacy. The ad will air in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Florida and Michigan before expanding to additional states.

[Supreme Court fight jolts battle for the Senate]