Politics
2026 US midterm spending on track to break records
November 2, 2026 at 11:27 PM
The 2026 US midterm elections are projected to be the most expensive ever, with record spending from top donors, dark money groups, and billionaires.
- The top 40 donors gave $2.4bn by mid-October, seven times the 2014 figure, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
- Elon Musk has given $483m, the most of any individual, while top donors gave to Republicans three to one over Democrats.
- AdImpact predicts $11.6bn in ad spending, topping the $11.2bn 2024 presidential campaign, with dark money a record 29% of top-donor funds.
- A June Supreme Court ruling on party coordination helped Republican committees raise over $48m, versus $4m more for Democrats.