Democrats have been leading Republicans in TV advertising spending for the presidential race in key swing states over the past three months. This advantage has been fueled by record-breaking grassroots fundraising and support from deep-pocketed donors. However, as the campaign enters its final stretch, Republicans are poised to take the lead in some crucial battlegrounds.
Pennsylvania has emerged as a primary focus for both parties, with approximately 22% of all ad buys during the condensed general election matchup being directed towards the state. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have identified Pennsylvania as a critical battleground, with Democrats outspending Republicans by about $37 million in the state over the past three months.
The Democratic 'blue wall' states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin are crucial for Harris' path to securing the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. In Michigan, Democrats have outspent Republicans by nearly $58 million in the past three months, while in Wisconsin, the Democratic edge is about $27 million.
Despite being outspent by Democrats in the past months, Republicans are now set to gain the advantage in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Carolina in the final two weeks of the campaign. However, Democrats have maintained their spending advantage in Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.
Overall, Democrats have about $208 million in ad bookings over the final two weeks, compared to Republicans' $181 million. Trump's campaign is expected to outspend Harris' campaign during this period, with outside groups supporting Democrats poised to outspend those supporting Republicans.
Despite the shifting dynamics in ad spending, the final outcome of the presidential race remains uncertain as both parties intensify their efforts in key battleground states.
