Where Is Political Ad Money Going in 2026?
Key Takeaways
- California, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and Florida account for more than 40% of tracked political and issue advertising spending across the 50 states.
- Spending patterns vary considerably by state, with some showing relatively balanced Democratic- and Republican-aligned activity while others lean heavily toward one party.
- About 71% of tracked spending on Meta and Google comes from advertisers that cannot be reliably linked to either major party.
As the 2026 U.S. midterm elections approach, political campaigns and advocacy groups are spending millions to reach Americans through digital advertising.
This visualization maps political and issue advertising spending on Meta and Google across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., revealing where spending is concentrated and how it breaks down by political affiliation.
The data comes from ScrapeLads, which analyzed spending reported through Meta’s Ad Library and Google’s Political Ads Transparency Report.
Which States Are Seeing the Most Political Ad Spending?
California leads with $123.5 million in tracked spending, followed by Texas at $79.4 million. Together, the two states account for roughly 25% of spending across the 50 states.
The table below ranks states by their total political and issue advertising spending on Meta and Google.
| Rank | State | Total spending |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $123,520,385 |
| 2 | Texas | $79,428,870 |
| 3 | Ohio | $48,598,910 |
| 4 | Michigan | $47,902,754 |
| 5 | Florida | $42,478,068 |
| 6 | Georgia | $36,810,172 |
| 7 | Iowa | $29,093,348 |
| 8 | New York | $27,200,205 |
| 9 | North Carolina | $25,525,700 |
| 10 | Arizona | $24,087,528 |
| 11 | Virginia | $24,082,561 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $23,971,263 |
| 13 | Illinois | $23,814,543 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $21,227,541 |
| 15 | Maine | $15,487,532 |
| 16 | Alaska | $15,159,912 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $14,884,198 |
| 18 | Colorado | $14,499,220 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $13,290,935 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $10,857,514 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $10,055,777 |
| 22 | Kansas | $9,651,503 |
| 23 | Missouri | $9,545,487 |
| 24 | Nevada | $9,365,603 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $9,249,948 |
| 26 | Indiana | $8,666,981 |
| 27 | Washington | $8,345,713 |
| 28 | Alabama | $8,321,175 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $7,511,030 |
| 30 | Oregon | $7,360,622 |
| 31 | Maryland | $7,193,095 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $7,166,115 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $6,929,945 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $6,883,958 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $6,312,343 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $4,956,539 |
| 37 | Montana | $4,390,095 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $3,761,900 |
| 39 | Utah | $3,311,158 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $3,100,937 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $2,828,274 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $2,623,277 |
| 43 | Idaho | $2,510,083 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $2,138,921 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $1,926,657 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $1,767,880 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $1,704,012 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $1,703,702 |
| 49 | Delaware | $1,652,094 |
| 50 | North Dakota | $1,225,230 |
| 51 | Vermont | $1,104,000 |
Ohio ($48.6 million) and Michigan ($47.9 million) follow, while Florida ($42.5 million) and Georgia ($36.8 million) also rank among the largest advertising markets.
However, total spending tells only part of the story. Most of California’s advertising spending is unclassified, while Texas has substantial spending linked to both Democratic- and Republican-aligned advertisers.
Why Is 71% of Political Ad Spending Unclassified?
More than seven out of every 10 dollars in tracked political and issue advertising spending cannot be confidently assigned to either major party.
This does not mean the advertisers are anonymous or that the money is hidden. Instead, the dataset includes many organizations that do not have a verified Democratic or Republican affiliation.
The table below shows how much unclassified advertising spending was recorded in each state.
| Rank | State | Unclassified ad spending |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $112,880,318 |
| 2 | Texas | $46,317,454 |
| 3 | Florida | $32,763,236 |
| 4 | Georgia | $31,666,032 |
| 5 | Michigan | $28,178,516 |
| 6 | Ohio | $26,361,801 |
| 7 | Virginia | $20,655,789 |
| 8 | Illinois | $19,454,696 |
| 9 | New York | $19,119,692 |
| 10 | Iowa | $16,472,334 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $15,945,537 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $15,714,594 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $13,149,786 |
| 14 | Arizona | $12,941,886 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $12,729,245 |
| 16 | Colorado | $10,683,789 |
| 17 | Missouri | $8,464,152 |
| 18 | Nevada | $8,338,486 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $7,933,888 |
| 20 | Indiana | $7,710,378 |
| 21 | Tennessee | $7,587,916 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | $7,312,806 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $7,303,375 |
| 24 | Alabama | $7,124,927 |
| 25 | Oregon | $6,470,070 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $6,132,094 |
| 27 | Alaska | $5,966,809 |
| 28 | Washington | $5,673,897 |
| 29 | Maine | $5,596,076 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $5,471,868 |
| 31 | Connecticut | $5,453,286 |
| 32 | Maryland | $5,380,131 |
| 33 | Kansas | $4,712,823 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $4,021,006 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $3,731,908 |
| 36 | New Hampshire | $2,925,526 |
| 37 | Montana | $2,910,565 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $2,873,636 |
| 39 | Utah | $2,858,004 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $2,483,243 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $2,325,868 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $2,140,651 |
| 43 | Idaho | $2,088,966 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $1,653,688 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $1,597,556 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $1,512,026 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $1,421,528 |
| 48 | Delaware | $1,397,896 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $1,297,057 |
| 50 | North Dakota | $1,092,840 |
| 51 | Vermont | $838,766 |
California stands out with $112.9 million in unclassified spending, more than twice Texas’s $46.3 million. Georgia also has a high proportion of unclassified spending, accounting for roughly 86% of its $36.8 million total.
To classify advertisers, ScrapeLads matched their names against Federal Election Commission records, using candidate affiliations, party committees, and independent expenditures. For the independent expenditure category, advertisers needed at least $25,000 in expenditures, with 85% or more supporting one party’s candidates or opposing the other’s.
The unclassified category includes companies, issue advocacy groups, ballot measure campaigns, and some state and local candidates. Some of these advertisers may support candidates or political causes without meeting the study’s criteria for a Democratic or Republican classification.
Where Are Democratic and Republican Advertisers Spending?
Looking specifically at advertisers with identified party affiliations reveals a different picture from the overall spending totals.
Texas has the highest identified spending for both parties, with approximately $15.8 million from Democratic-aligned advertisers and $17.3 million from Republican-aligned advertisers.
The table below compares Democratic- and Republican-aligned advertising spending by state.
| State | Democratic-aligned | Republican-aligned |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $399,884 | $796,364 |
| Alaska | $5,795,801 | $3,397,302 |
| Arizona | $7,036,241 | $4,109,401 |
| Arkansas | $337,249 | $280,445 |
| California | $8,670,697 | $1,969,370 |
| Colorado | $2,394,628 | $1,420,803 |
| Connecticut | $745,092 | $113,965 |
| Delaware | $211,855 | $42,343 |
| District of Columbia | $412,819 | $69,807 |
| Florida | $4,377,842 | $5,336,990 |
| Georgia | $3,611,512 | $1,532,628 |
| Hawaii | $215,065 | $40,789 |
| Idaho | $169,067 | $252,050 |
| Illinois | $3,448,437 | $911,410 |
| Indiana | $582,692 | $373,911 |
| Iowa | $5,473,042 | $7,147,972 |
| Kansas | $4,403,889 | $534,791 |
| Kentucky | $1,411,945 | $627,217 |
| Louisiana | $374,592 | $850,039 |
| Maine | $4,949,923 | $4,941,533 |
| Maryland | $1,641,964 | $171,000 |
| Massachusetts | $3,058,018 | $486,690 |
| Michigan | $10,237,653 | $9,486,585 |
| Minnesota | $1,657,449 | $497,504 |
| Mississippi | $327,699 | $174,707 |
| Missouri | $820,494 | $260,841 |
| Montana | $809,589 | $669,941 |
| Nebraska | $1,398,115 | $1,464,837 |
| Nevada | $440,506 | $586,611 |
| New Hampshire | $2,450,608 | $1,553,811 |
| New Jersey | $2,057,944 | $694,458 |
| New Mexico | $422,714 | $465,550 |
| New York | $6,180,682 | $1,899,831 |
| North Carolina | $6,076,709 | $6,299,205 |
| North Dakota | $73,470 | $58,920 |
| Ohio | $6,249,485 | $15,987,624 |
| Oklahoma | $246,678 | $787,343 |
| Oregon | $753,380 | $137,172 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,390,563 | $3,122,384 |
| Rhode Island | $275,932 | $53,169 |
| South Carolina | $3,329,951 | $2,027,096 |
| South Dakota | $109,573 | $172,601 |
| Tennessee | $814,328 | $847,704 |
| Texas | $15,776,036 | $17,335,380 |
| Utah | $323,195 | $129,959 |
| Vermont | $219,091 | $46,143 |
| Virginia | $2,346,868 | $1,079,904 |
| Washington | $1,548,335 | $1,123,481 |
| West Virginia | $164,465 | $320,768 |
| Wisconsin | $1,251,307 | $6,774,419 |
| Wyoming | $110,274 | $296,681 |
Ohio shows a more pronounced difference. Republican-aligned advertisers spent approximately $16.0 million, more than double the $6.2 million recorded for Democratic-aligned advertisers.
Other states show different patterns. Michigan’s identified spending is relatively balanced, at $10.2 million Democratic-aligned and $9.5 million Republican-aligned. Wisconsin, meanwhile, has $6.8 million in identified Republican-aligned spending compared with $1.3 million Democratic-aligned.
These figures do not necessarily represent all advertising supporting either party, because some politically aligned organizations remain unclassified.
What Do the Numbers Reveal About the Midterms?
Several states that were closely contested in the 2024 presidential election are seeing substantial digital advertising spending ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Among these states, Michigan leads with $47.9 million in tracked spending, followed by Georgia ($36.8 million), North Carolina ($25.5 million), Arizona ($24.1 million), and Wisconsin ($24.0 million).
Pennsylvania has $21.2 million, while Nevada has $9.4 million.
These totals include advertising by candidate campaigns, political organizations, and groups promoting specific issues or ballot measures. An advertisement about immigration, health care, or energy policy, for example, may contribute to the political debate without explicitly endorsing a candidate.
As a result, these figures reflect the broader political advertising landscape, not just ads directly supporting or opposing candidates in the midterms.
Advertising spending is only one part of the midterm election picture. Voter participation also varies considerably across age groups, as shown in our visualization of midterm voter turnout by age.
How Much Political Advertising Does the Data Capture?
The dataset covers political and issue advertising on Meta and Google, rather than all campaign spending.
Meta’s data covers July 20 through October 17, 2026. Google’s state-level data covers January 1 through October 17, 2026, but represents approximately 63% of Google’s reported spending during that period.
The dataset therefore excludes some advertising outside these reporting windows, as well as political advertising on other platforms and traditional media such as television and radio.
Explore Political Ad Spending in Every State
The complete table below includes total spending and the breakdown by Democratic-aligned, Republican-aligned, and unclassified advertisers for all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Use the table to compare states and see how the composition of political advertising spending varies across the country.
| State | Total spending | Democratic-aligned | Republican-aligned | Unclassified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $123,520,385 | $8,670,697 | $1,969,370 | $112,880,318 |
| Texas | $79,428,870 | $15,776,036 | $17,335,380 | $46,317,454 |
| Ohio | $48,598,910 | $6,249,485 | $15,987,624 | $26,361,801 |
| Michigan | $47,902,754 | $10,237,653 | $9,486,585 | $28,178,516 |
| Florida | $42,478,068 | $4,377,842 | $5,336,990 | $32,763,236 |
| Georgia | $36,810,172 | $3,611,512 | $1,532,628 | $31,666,032 |
| Iowa | $29,093,348 | $5,473,042 | $7,147,972 | $16,472,334 |
| New York | $27,200,205 | $6,180,682 | $1,899,831 | $19,119,692 |
| North Carolina | $25,525,700 | $6,076,709 | $6,299,205 | $13,149,786 |
| Arizona | $24,087,528 | $7,036,241 | $4,109,401 | $12,941,886 |
| Virginia | $24,082,561 | $2,346,868 | $1,079,904 | $20,655,789 |
| Wisconsin | $23,971,263 | $1,251,307 | $6,774,419 | $15,945,537 |
| Illinois | $23,814,543 | $3,448,437 | $911,410 | $19,454,696 |
| Pennsylvania | $21,227,541 | $2,390,563 | $3,122,384 | $15,714,594 |
| Maine | $15,487,532 | $4,949,923 | $4,941,533 | $5,596,076 |
| Alaska | $15,159,912 | $5,795,801 | $3,397,302 | $5,966,809 |
| Minnesota | $14,884,198 | $1,657,449 | $497,504 | $12,729,245 |
| Colorado | $14,499,220 | $2,394,628 | $1,420,803 | $10,683,789 |
| South Carolina | $13,290,935 | $3,329,951 | $2,027,096 | $7,933,888 |
| Massachusetts | $10,857,514 | $3,058,018 | $486,690 | $7,312,806 |
| New Jersey | $10,055,777 | $2,057,944 | $694,458 | $7,303,375 |
| Kansas | $9,651,503 | $4,403,889 | $534,791 | $4,712,823 |
| Missouri | $9,545,487 | $820,494 | $260,841 | $8,464,152 |
| Nevada | $9,365,603 | $440,506 | $586,611 | $8,338,486 |
| Tennessee | $9,249,948 | $814,328 | $847,704 | $7,587,916 |
| Indiana | $8,666,981 | $582,692 | $373,911 | $7,710,378 |
| Washington | $8,345,713 | $1,548,335 | $1,123,481 | $5,673,897 |
| Alabama | $8,321,175 | $399,884 | $796,364 | $7,124,927 |
| Kentucky | $7,511,030 | $1,411,945 | $627,217 | $5,471,868 |
| Oregon | $7,360,622 | $753,380 | $137,172 | $6,470,070 |
| Maryland | $7,193,095 | $1,641,964 | $171,000 | $5,380,131 |
| Oklahoma | $7,166,115 | $246,678 | $787,343 | $6,132,094 |
| New Hampshire | $6,929,945 | $2,450,608 | $1,553,811 | $2,925,526 |
| Nebraska | $6,883,958 | $1,398,115 | $1,464,837 | $4,021,006 |
| Connecticut | $6,312,343 | $745,092 | $113,965 | $5,453,286 |
| Louisiana | $4,956,539 | $374,592 | $850,039 | $3,731,908 |
| Montana | $4,390,095 | $809,589 | $669,941 | $2,910,565 |
| New Mexico | $3,761,900 | $422,714 | $465,550 | $2,873,636 |
| Utah | $3,311,158 | $323,195 | $129,959 | $2,858,004 |
| Arkansas | $3,100,937 | $337,249 | $280,445 | $2,483,243 |
| Mississippi | $2,828,274 | $327,699 | $174,707 | $2,325,868 |
| District of Columbia | $2,623,277 | $412,819 | $69,807 | $2,140,651 |
| Idaho | $2,510,083 | $169,067 | $252,050 | $2,088,966 |
| West Virginia | $2,138,921 | $164,465 | $320,768 | $1,653,688 |
| Rhode Island | $1,926,657 | $275,932 | $53,169 | $1,597,556 |
| Hawaii | $1,767,880 | $215,065 | $40,789 | $1,512,026 |
| Wyoming | $1,704,012 | $110,274 | $296,681 | $1,297,057 |
| South Dakota | $1,703,702 | $109,573 | $172,601 | $1,421,528 |
| Delaware | $1,652,094 | $211,855 | $42,343 | $1,397,896 |
| North Dakota | $1,225,230 | $73,470 | $58,920 | $1,092,840 |
| Vermont | $1,104,000 | $219,091 | $46,143 | $838,766 |
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