2026 midterms could be the most expensive on record

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMore than fifteen billion dollars has been raised in this year's midterm elections, and NPR says that could make them the most expensive on record.

2. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe ad tracker AdImpact says spending for this cycle passed ten billion dollars this week.

3. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat is more than the NFL booked in advertising during the 2025-26 football season.

4. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMore than the NFL! So that's a lot of people getting a message at dinner time.

5. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorCNBC reports Elon Musk gave more than two hundred seventy-six million dollars to federal political groups in the third quarter, making him the biggest known individual donor of these midterms.

6. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe top fifty donors gave nearly two point four billion dollars.

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTwo point four billion from fifty people?

8. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorTo both parties, Chip. Democrats spent two hundred eighty-eight million dollars on toss-up races, Republicans two hundred seventy-nine million.

9. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorOhio is the most expensive Senate race on record, nearly a quarter of all Senate general election spending.

10. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOhio must be exhausted. Also, NPR says France's president is condemning violent protests across his country.

11. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBefore the top of the hour, a question about a 2,700-year-old Egyptian god and the Oscar statuette.

12. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorI'd watch that ad.

13. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorOhio alone is nearly a quarter of Senate spending, Chip, so the only thing it still needs is a halftime show.