2026 midterm could be the most expensive ever: AdImpact

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe midterms are still weeks away, and the spending may already be heading past a record.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLola Cruz is live in a suburban neighborhood to see what that looks like on the ground.

3. 

   Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentHank, I'm standing on a quiet residential street, and in the last ten minutes I have counted nine yard signs, four mailers, and one phone buzzing in my pocket with a candidate's face on it.

4. 

   Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentThe tracking firm AdImpact says total spending this year could pass the eleven point two billion dollars spent in the twenty twenty-four presidential cycle, and that was a presidential year.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA midterm outspending a presidential race. Who's winning, the candidates or the TV stations?

6. 

   Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentThe TV stations, Hank, and they're not even on the ballot. I've covered conflicts with less incoming fire than this living room window behind me.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIncoming fire.

8. 

   Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentJust a few minutes ago a man two doors down turned off his television, and within seconds a mailer arrived to ask him why. There is no safe ground out here.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the money is buying attention, and the voters are spending it all on avoiding the ads.

10. 

    Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentThat's the economy of this street.

11. 

    Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentEven my microphone flag has been offered a sponsor, and I'm told the going rate is better than my salary.

12. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDid you take it?

13. 

    Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentI'm weighing it.

14. 

    Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentThe only spot out here with no political ads is a seagull's nest on that roof, and even he got a mailer this morning.

15. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLet's hope he votes. Brock, is there anything falling from the sky today that isn't a flyer?