From NPR · · 1m 40s
Ten billion dollars spent on midterm ads while voters struggle
Campaign spending has topped ten billion dollars this election cycle, as voters tell pollsters their top concerns are the economy and cost of living.
In brief
Campaign spending has topped ten billion dollars this election cycle, as voters tell pollsters their top concerns are the economy and cost of living. Midterm campaign ad spending has exceeded ten billion dollars while voters struggle with inflation, gas prices and grocery costs. Originally reported by NPR.
Campaign spending hits ten billion dollars
Campaign ad spending for these midterm elections passed ten billion dollars this week, according to the tracking group AdImpact.
Senate races cost hundreds of millions each
The Ohio Senate race has cost more than four hundred sixty million dollars in combined ad spending. Texas has surpassed half a billion. Maine has two hundred sixty million more.
House races also see record spending
Michigan's seventh congressional district has the most expensive House race with nearly sixty million dollars in ads. Iowa and Florida contests are just under fifty million apiece.
Super PACs funnel hundreds of millions to candidates
Since the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision in two thousand ten, there are no limits on donations to super PACs.Elon Musk has given two hundred seventy six million dollars to Republican groups since July.
Voters prioritize economy and cost of living
Voters tell pollsters and reporters their top issues this fall are the economy and the cost of living.Inflation is up.Gas prices have spiked since the start of the Iran war.
Spending the most money doesn't guarantee victory
It is hard not to wonder what those hundreds of millions of ad dollars could accomplish if spent on food, gas, shelter, health care, schools or public parks.Spending the most money doesn't always deliver victory.
The main idea
Midterm campaign ad spending has exceeded ten billion dollars while voters struggle with inflation, gas prices and grocery costs.
