Republicans and allies booked about $888 million in ads for the final six weeks before the Nov. 3 US midterms, versus Democrats’ roughly $666 million, AdImpact says. The gap comes as Trump’s approval rating is in the low 30s and the GOP trails in congressional polls.
AdImpact and Kinetiq Political Insights project about $12 billion in advertising across the 2025–26 election cycle, more than in any previous US election. Much of the Republican advantage comes from super PACs, which can raise unlimited sums from wealthy individuals and corporations if they do not coordinate directly with candidates.
In Texas, Republicans expect to spend up to $200 million against Democrat James Talarico, who leads the state’s polling average; the Texas Tribune reports he is being outspent about five to one. Trump won Texas by almost 14 points in 2024. Consultant Caroline Welles said early voting already under way in some states gives late ad spending fewer chances to change minds.
