Key Political Races Flood Select Metros With Ad Dollars

Sen-Sherrod-Brown

Ohio and Florida have two markets each among the top 10 in political spending this year, according to a new report. Both are major swing states in the presidential race and have hotly contested senate races generating spending.

Cleveland, the country's 18th-largest market, has drawn $17.7 million through June 24, according to a Wells Fargo report. That places it just behind Los Angeles for the most political ad dollars this year.

Also in Ohio, the Columbus market, the 34th-largest, ranks 8th in most spending with $10.6 million.

In Florida, Tampa, the 14-largest market, ranks 4th with $12.2 million and Orlando (market 19) comes in 9th with $10.4 million.

In Ohio, incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) is trying to fend off a challenge from state Treasurer Josh Mandel (R). Cleveland has been experiencing a rush of dollars lately, making it the country’s top market with political dollars from June 4-24.

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In Florida, Sen. Bill Nelson (D) is trying to hold onto his seat.

California, where Los Angeles has brought in $20.2 million, has a senate race with incumbent Diane Feinstein (D). Other top 10 markets through 24 this year include New York in third, Washington in 5th, Milwaukee (where statewide recall races buoyed spending) in 6th, Las Vegas in 7th and Philadelphia in 10th.

The Los Angeles and New York markets should help the stations owned by the four major networks. Fox has six stations in the top 10, while NBCUniversal and CBS have four.

In Cleveland, the four stations affiliated with the major networks are owned by Gannett, Scripps, Raycom and Local TV.

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