GOP leads Democrats in future ad reservations in all but one marquee Senate race
by Seth McLaughlin · The Washington TimesRepublicans are pouring money into the fall Senate map, locking in big TV ad reservations across nearly every competitive race, betting the financial edge will help them defend their majority.
According to new data from the ad‑tracking firm AdImpact, the GOP leads Democrats in eight of the nine Senate battleground contests.
North Carolina is the lone exception. Democrats have a $1.3 million edge — $35.7 million to $34.4 million — in the open-seat race between former Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley. The winner will replace retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.
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The gap is widest in Texas, where Republicans have booked $58.6 million in future ads — nearly 16 to 1 over Democrats’ $3.6 million. That’s the backdrop for the race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who ousted Sen. John Cornyn in the primary, and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.
AdImpact also noted that combined with the $113.8 million and $62 million that Republicans and Democrats have already spent on ads, respectively, this race is now the ninth-most expensive Senate election on record.
In Ohio, Republicans have reserved $92.6 million in the election to fill the seat once held by Vice President J.D. Vance, compared with $54.4 million for Democrats. Sen. Jon Husted, appointed after Mr. Vance’s resignation, is facing former Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat.
Michigan also tilts toward the GOP. Republicans have $42 million booked to the Democrats’ $20.4 million in the open-seat race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Former Rep. Mike Rogers is running against Democratic state Rep. Abdul El‑Sayed.
In Maine — the only state on the list carried by Kamala Harris in 2024 — Republicans hold a $12.9 million edge. Sen. Susan Collins is seeking a sixth term against Democratic state Senate President Troy Jackson.
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Iowa is closer, with Republicans ahead $32.3 million to $26.2 million, as Rep. Ashley Hinson tries to keep the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek.
Kansas, usually safe GOP territory, shows a smaller but notable advantage: $2.8 million to $276,000. Sen. Roger Marshall is facing an unexpectedly competitive challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton, a pastor, in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932.
Alaska and New Hampshire are the tightest. Republicans lead by $1.7 million in Alaska, where GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan faces former Rep. Mary Peltola, and by $1.8 million in New Hampshire, where Republican John E. Sununu and Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas are vying for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Republicans are defending a narrow 53-47 majority.
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Seth McLaughlin
smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com
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