Senate candidates spent more than $15 million on fundraising ads, NPR analysis finds
Senate candidates in Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and Texas spent more than $15 million on fundraising-related Google ads during the 2025-26 election cycle, according to an analysis by NPR. Both Democratic and Republican candidates took part, NPR reported.
Most of that money, about three-quarters, went to ads that ran nationally rather than only in the candidates' home states, NPR said. The ads are a way to reach donors who do not live in the races being funded.
Those donors often come from far away. NPR reported that at least four competitive Senate races have a majority of their money coming from outside the state. More than 80% of the itemized individual contributions to Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff came from out of state, NPR reported. The same was true for more than 80% of the itemized individual contributions to Iowa Democratic nominee Josh Turek.
The messages differ depending on who is watching. NPR reported that candidates use different messaging for in-state and out-of-state ads. Out-of-state digital ads focus on national themes, such as attacking or defending President Donald Trump, or turning the Senate blue or red.
Federal campaign committees must disclose the money they raise and spend. The Federal Election Commission (FEC), the agency that enforces campaign finance rules, set October 15, 2026, as the deadline for House and Senate committees to file a quarterly report.
NPR identified ActBlue and WinRed as two major grassroots fundraising platforms. NPR described them as a major catalyst for out-of-state fundraising.
