US midterms: Republicans book $888mn in ads

Republicans and allied groups have booked about $888 million in advertising for the final six weeks before the November 3 US midterm elections, compared with roughly $666 million for Democrats, according to political advertising tracker AdImpact.

The elections will decide control of Congress and many state governorships and could shape how much of President Donald Trump’s agenda can advance in his final two years in office.

AdImpact and Kinetiq Political Insights project that about $12 billion will be spent on advertising across the 2025-26 election cycle, more than in any previous US election, including the 2024 presidential race.

Much of the Republican advantage comes from super PACs, which can raise unlimited sums as long as they do not coordinate directly with candidates. MAGA Inc, the main group backing Trump, entered September with nearly $416 million in the bank.

The Republican National Committee had about $126 million at the end of August, while the Democratic National Committee had about $17 million in cash and slightly more than that in debt. AdImpact said Republicans have the larger advertising budget in eight of the nine most competitive Senate races.

Political consultant Caroline Welles warned that Democrats should not dismiss the advertising gap, but said money was “not a reset button for the political environment.” Strategist Mike Fahey said the Republican advantage could matter most in close races where voters know little about either candidate.