• by Wayne Friedman , 5 hours ago

With less than four weeks to go, political TV advertising spend for midterm U.S. Senate and House of Representatives races is up 30.4% through October 12 versus 2024 spending for the Congressional races during the same period, according to AdImpact.

Republicans currently account for 54% of that total spend at $1.98 billion, with Democrats at 46% ($1.75 billion), for a total of $3.73 billion.

Total spending has gained $872.2 million this year versus two years ago. In 2024, a Presidential election year, $2.86 billion was spent on Congressional races through mid-October. In 2022, for the last midterm elections, spend was $2.44 billion.

Total Senate campaign spending is up 21% to $2.3 billion versus the 2024 Presidential year, with House races up 50% to $1.5 billion.

For the House races, Democrats have edged out Republicans at $787.3 million to $678.9 million, respectively. Republicans are ahead in Senate races at $1.3 billion, compared to Democrats at $964.0 million.

AdImpact says Republicans have a spending advantage in seven of eight competitive Senate races, and 25 of the 42 House races rated "Toss Up" or "Lean" by The Cook Political Report (CPR).

Two years ago,Democrats held the aired spending advantage in seven of eight competitive Senate races and 34 of 42 competitive House races, based on CPR's ratings as of October 8, 2024.

The top Congressional races by aired spending so far have been the Texas Senate ($490.4 million), Ohio Senate $431.7 million), and Michigan Senate ($295.3 million).

AdImpact tracked more than 4,300 unique broadcast political advertisements and 2.8 million broadcast airings targeting Congressional elections this cycle as of October 12, 12:30 p.m. ET.