$11.6 billion.
That’s how much is expected to be spent on advertising in the 2026 midterm elections when all is said and done, according to AdImpact. This figure would surpass the $8.9 billion spent in the 2022 midterms and the $11.2 billion spent in the 2024 presidential cycle.
That’s a lot of money, and the partisan breakdown is nowhere near equal. Republicans and their aligned outside groups hold a major spending edge over Democrats and their allies. In recent weeks, we’ve also seen President Trump’s PAC unleash a firehose of spending, including in many races our state newsrooms are covering.
That money may not be enough to rescue Republicans amid skyrocketing gas, diesel, and utility prices, out-of-control corruption, and a disastrous war in Iran. But it underscores just how much money is coursing through the veins of our political system at a time when ordinary people are finding it harder and harder to scrape by—a bleak contradiction that only a handful of candidates are talking about.
Trump backs data centers. Where does Arizona GOP candidate Jay Feely stand?
By Sahara Sajjadi, The Copper Courier
GOP congressional candidate Jay Feely says the U.S. needs data centers to compete with China, putting him at odds with Arizona voters concerned over water and utility costs. Could it cost him his race?
A Medicaid vote could decide a pivotal House race in California
By Michelle Zacarias, Courier California
Rep. David Valadao is fighting to keep his seat after voting for Trump’s megabill, which slashed over $1 trillion from Medicaid. Democratic challenger Randy Villegas is betting the vote will cost him.
Ashley Hinson tries to have it both ways on the Epstein Files
By Zachary Owen Smith, Iowa Starting Line
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) says calling her an Epstein-files obstructionist is a "malicious lie." But if it was a lie, why did she hold up the discharge petition?
What Abdul El-Sayed says he’d do for Black Michiganders in the US Senate
By Kyle Kaminski, The ‘Gander
Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed says federal investment in Black communities has too often arrived late or without any way to measure whether it worked. His new plan is built around fixing that.
Michele Tafoya repeatedly platformed, supported Jan. 6 rioters on podcast
By Ashley Walker, Courier Minnesota
Michele Tafoya spent years downplaying Jan. 6 and defending people prosecuted for their involvement. Now that she’s Minnesota’s Republican Senate nominee, those comments—including calling one participant her “J6 brother”—are getting renewed attention.
Trump Inc. backed Super PAC dumping $10 million into NH to elect John Sununu
By Colin Booth, Granite Post
A brand-new super PAC tied to Trump’s political operation has booked $10 million in New Hampshire ads to send John E. Sununu back to the Senate.
Trump is pouring millions in Nevada’s most competitive race
By Lizzie Ramirez, The Nevadan
Trump-backed money is flooding into Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District. Nearly $3 million in ads have been booked to support Republican Marty O’Donnell, whose campaign reports that 91% of its cash on hand comes from out-of-state contributions.
‘He’s the epitome of Washington corruption’: Cait Conley takes aim at Mike Lawler
By Bonnie Fuller, Courier New York
Cait Conley is taking direct aim at Rep. Mike Lawler’s record as she campaigns to flip New York’s 17th Congressional District. At a rally with Pete Buttigieg, the Democrat focused on corruption, rising costs, healthcare, and data centers as she made her case against the incumbent Republican.
Bresnahan owns millions in data center investments while campaigning to regulate them
By Sean Kitchen, The Keystone
Recent reporting from CBS News places Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Luzerne) back in the hot seat after it was disclosed that the freshman lawmaker owns millions of dollars in stocks tied to the artificial intelligence and data center boom.
DC Republicans flood Texas with $54 million to rescue Ken Paxton’s campaign
By Brian McManus, Courier Texas
Ken Paxton’s polling troubles are bringing a flood of Republican money to Texas. National GOP groups have committed tens of millions to boosting his Senate campaign, including nearly $54 million from the Senate Leadership Fund and $10 million from Trump’s super PAC.
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As Will Rogers said: “America has the best politicians that money can buy.”
Yep!