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EMARKETER

US Political Ad Spending 2026

The Most Expensive Midterm Election Cycle of All Time Bodes Well for Broadcast TV and CTV

Report by Ethan Cramer-Flood, Chuck Rawlings  |  Jun 5, 2026
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Midterm political ad spending will exceed $11 billion this year, nearly matching the presidential cycle of 2024
Political ad spending still gravitates to traditional media, although digital is gaining ground
Television in all its iterations is the primary format for political ad spending
Social networks play a huge role in politics, but only a small role in political advertising
Media Gallery
About This Report
Cyclical political ad spending is surging again, and midterms are no longer much of a step down from presidential cycles. Broadcast TV still dominates campaigns, but CTV is reshaping political advertising faster than any other channel.
Topics
Politics
TV Advertising
Digital Advertising
US
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Midterm political ad spending will exceed $11 billion this year, nearly matching the presidential cycle of 2024
Political ad spending still gravitates to traditional media, although digital is gaining ground
Television in all its iterations is the primary format for political ad spending
Social networks play a huge role in politics, but only a small role in political advertising
Media Gallery

Political ad spending will approach presidential-cycle highs in 2026 as competitive Senate, House, and gubernatorial races flood TV and digital channels with campaign dollars. Broadcast TV will remain dominant, but connected TV (CTV) and social will capture most of the four-year growth.

Key Question: How much will be spent on political advertising in the US in 2026, what is the growth outlook, and how will spending be allocated across channels and formats?

Key Stat: Midterm political ad spending will exceed $11 billion in 2026, up enormously from 2022 and down only marginally from the presidential cycle of 2024.

Political Ad Spending in 2026 Will Be 21.4% Higher Than in 2022 and Only Slightly Down From 2024
E-Mail ChartDownload

authors

Ethan Cramer-Flood, Chuck Rawlings

Contributors

Ross Benes
Senior Analyst
Naomi Rebuelta
Copy Editor
Matt Torpey
Senior Data Visualization Editor
Johann Valderrama
Data Visualization Editor
Julia Woolever
Director, Report Editing
Yoram Wurmser
Principal Analyst
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