Billions spent as 2026 becomes the most expensive election in U.S. history
OpenSecrets said outside groups and wealthy donors are driving the surge, with more than half a billion dollars already spent in Texas’ Senate race.
- Corporate political spending in the 2026 midterms reached approximately $737 million, a 60 percent increase from the 2024 presidential election, according to Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization.
- Robert Weissman, Public Citizen co-president, said corporations are using the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision to drive political spending to unprecedented levels. The ruling allows unlimited corporate contributions to campaigns.
- Big Tech, cryptocurrency, and online betting interests collectively contributed $391 million toward the 2026 elections, accounting for more than half of corporate political spending reported this cycle.
- According to AdImpact, an ad tracking firm, $11.15bn has been spent on advertising by the end of October, with traditional broadcast television remaining the top beneficiary while digital ad expenditures continue to increase.
- Billionaire businessman Elon Musk has donated almost half a billion dollars, primarily to America PAC and the Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund, while billionaire financier George Soros and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg have contributed millions to liberal groups.
87 Articles
87 Articles
Republicans are heading into this year's US midterm elections with a significant financial advantage, thanks in large part to the outstanding fundraising of outside support groups affiliated with the party. Although individual Democratic candidates have directly raised more money than their rivals, total campaign spending has already exceeded an astronomical $11.9 billion, and the right has a head start in the advertising market, AP News reporte…
The Midterms are expected to cost almost 12 billion dollars in 2026. Super-PACs and large donors in particular drive campaign spending to record levels.
Elon Musk is among the biggest contributors. But where does the money actually end up?
Both parties spent $3.9 billion on advertising, making these elections the most expensive since 2018.
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