Total expenditure on advertising for the US House and Senate has hit $1.5 billion, including a surge of $317 million in the most recent week. Throughout September, Republicans aired $200 million more in total congressional ads than Democrats. These totals represent record spending for US midterm elections as campaigns intensify their push to defend or flip seats.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Republicans Take 60% of Senate Battleground Ad Spend for First Time This Decade
US Politics19 days ago
The spending dynamic in the fight for the upper chamber reversed in 2026 as GOP campaigns captured most of the televised ads. AdImpact data shows Republicans held 60% of the airtime in battleground Senate races, while Democrats fell to 40%, ending a sequence from 2020 to 2024 when Democratic spending shares ranged from 53% to 54%. This shift concentrates Republican resources on a handful of seats that have become competitive for Democrats.
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