Ohio has the priciest Senate race this cycle
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Ohio's pivotal Senate race between Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Bernie Moreno is by far the most expensive of this election cycle, according to AdImpact data.
Why it matters: A fierce battle for control of the Senate is fueling the expected record-breaking ad spending.
👀 Eye-popping stat: Spending on the Ohio race had surpassed $310 million as of Aug. 7.
- This includes money invested during the highly competitive Senate GOP primary, in which Moreno defeated Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Sen. Matt Dolan.
- The amount also includes ad reservations made through Election Day, which are expected to keep climbing.
Flashback: This is a massive jump from Brown's previous re-election cycles.
- Around $38 million was spent between the candidates and outside groups during the 2018 race, according to political spending tracker OpenSecrets.
- $82 million was spent in 2012, the last time Brown appeared on the ballot during a presidential election year.
The big picture: Democrats hold a fundraising advantage over Republicans, which is helping them play defense in nine competitive Senate races.
- Yes, but: Ohio is the only one in which Republicans are outspending Democrats.
Between the lines: Republicans have zeroed in on ousting popular Democratic senators in Ohio and Montana, both states former President Trump handily won in 2016 and 2020.
Meanwhile: Neighboring Pennsylvania, with over $200 million in combined spending, remains at the heart of the 2024 cycle as a critical Senate — and presidential — swing state.