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Five of the most expensive races this cycle
Developed over time first seen 5 days ago
The 2026 US midterm campaign became the most expensive election cycle on record before polling day, according to advertising tracker AdImpact. By 26 October, political ad spending and future bookings had reached $11.21 billion, exceeding the $11.2 billion spent across the 2024 cycle, which included a presidential election. The five costliest contests were the Texas and Ohio Senate races, California’s governor’s race, Michigan’s Senate race and Georgia’s governor’s race. These figures measure advertising, including booked ads, rather than every form of campaign expenditure.
Texas led the list. AdImpact reported on 30 October that its Senate race had attracted $573 million in ad spending and bookings, making it the most expensive contest outside a presidential race in its records. Ohio’s Senate race had also passed $500 million. Heavy spending in competitive Senate contests reflects the stakes for control of Congress, while the California and Georgia governor’s races show that major state contests drew substantial sums too. The totals may change as final advertising and campaign finance figures are compiled.
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In short
- The 2026 cycle surpassed the 2024 cycle’s political ad total before polling day.
- Texas and Ohio each passed $500 million in Senate race advertising.
- Three Senate races and two governor’s races dominated the spending list.
How this story developed
- 3 hours ago The 2026 US midterm campaign became the most expensive election cycle on record before polling day, according to advertising tracker AdImpact. By 26 October, political ad spending and future bookings had reached $11.21 billion, exceeding the $11.2 billion spent across the 2024 cycle, which included a presidential election.
Explained simply
US midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. Voters choose all members of the House of Representatives and about a third of the Senate, as well as governors and other state officials.
The House and Senate make federal laws and approve government spending, so the balance of power in Congress can affect a president’s ability to advance policies. Governors lead state governments and make decisions on areas such as education and public services.
Campaigns raise and spend money to reach voters, including by buying adverts on television and online. AdImpact tracks political advertising and future bookings, which gives one measure of the scale of these races but does not include every campaign expense.
Coverage · 4 sources
Americas Art Culture Elections Politics World