The total bill for ad spending in the 2024 election was nearly $11 billion, a new record and a substantial increase from the $9 billion spent in 2020.
This is according to AdImpact, a company that tracks political advertising expenditures. The total is in line with the company’s 2023 projection that 2024 will see more ad spending than ever before.
The bulk of the spending, unsurprisingly, came from the presidential race, with Democrats outpacing Republicans despite losing the campaign.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ political operation has spent more than $880 million since the start of 2023 (including spending when President Joe Biden was in charge, as well as joint fundraising committees aligned with the campaign and the Democratic National Committee). Newly elected President Donald Trump’s political operation, including his campaign, national party and affiliated joint fundraising committees, has spent approximately $425 million on advertising.
In total, the Democratic campaign and pro-Democrat outside groups spent nearly $1.8 billion, while the Trump campaign and pro-Republican outside groups spent $1.4 billion.
The campaign for the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans early next year, has generated about $2.6 billion in spending: $1.4 billion from Democratic candidates and outside groups and $1.2 billion from Republican candidates and pro-Republican groups. The Ohio Senate race, won by Republican Bernie Moreno, was the most expensive race in terms of ad spending, with more than $538 million spent between the campaigns and outside groups.
House races drew $1.7 billion in ad spending — $940 million from Democrats and $760 million from Republicans, with New York’s 19th District (where NBC News’ Decision Desk predicts Democrat Josh Riley will replace Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro) leads the way with almost $40 million. in terms of advertising expenditure.
A relatively short list of competitive gubernatorial races this election cycle has raised nearly $530 million, including races held in 2023. The North Carolina gubernatorial race, with Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein expected to defeat Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson after allegations that Robinson made inflammatory comments on a pornographic site, led the way with nearly $120 million in ad spending.
All other ballots, including ballot questions and constitutional amendments, legislative races and more, generated $2.9 billion in spending. Florida’s ballot amendment legalizing marijuana (which appears to have failed) included over $122 million in ad spending, more than any other down-ballot race.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
