The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is making a modest initial investment in support of Conor Lamb , the Democratic candidate running in the special election for Pennsylvanias 18th Congressional district.

The DCCC, which helps elect Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives, purchased $224,000 of television ads boosting Lamb, HuffPost confirmed with a Democratic source familiar with the ad buy. The ads will air for two weeks beginning on Jan. 30. Election Day is March 13.

Although the contribution is relatively small, it could kick off larger contributions from big donors and outside groups.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, which elects House Republicans , responded on Friday with a $300,000 ad buy of its own. The GOP group blocked out broadcast space from Monday through Election Day to air the campaign spots.