Ad industry tracker AdImpact predicts $11.6bn in ad spending this cycle, surpassing the $11.2bn spent in the 2024 presidential election. OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan research group tracking money in politics, pegs total spending in the midterms as on track to reach $11.9bn.
The top 40 donors are giving more than ever before: $2.4bn by mid-October, seven times the amount the top 40 in 2014 gave, adjusted for inflation, according to a new analysis from the nonpartisan, pro-campaign finance reform institute the Brennan Center for Justice.
But the significant difference since then is that those top donors now give more to Republicans, and by a larger differential. In 2014, the top 40 gave to Democrats two to one, but this year the top 40 gave to Republicans three to one over Democrats.
Such a waste. What ads are changing anyone’s mind?
Some Democrats have changed minds with their anti-trans ads. Not republican minds though, more like anti-ads for Democrats.
The goal isn’t always to change minds – it’s similar in my opinion to asking why Coca-Cola advertises anymore. Propaganda doesn’t need to change your mind to have the desired effect.