AdImpact

John James holds a double-digit lead over Perry Johnson in Michigan's Republican governor primary. James has spent $32 million on his campaign and is supported by Trump and the DeVos family, while Johnson emphasizes his business background and outsider status. Both candidates are vying to face Democratic nominees in November.

Vivek Ramaswamy and his super PAC spent $9 million on ads during a six-week period in the Ohio governor race, while Democratic candidate Amy Acton spent $100,000. Ramaswamy's campaign raised $50 million, partly self-funded, with contributions from billionaires including Elon Musk and Jeff Yass. Acton raised $18.5 million, calling her opponent's spending approach ineffective.

Bernie Sanders dismissed Rep. Haley Stevens, framing Michigan's Democratic Senate primary as a battle between progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed and the 'billionaire class.' Sanders highlighted $50 million in spending by wealthy donors and outside groups against El-Sayed, who faces Stevens in the August 4 primary. AdImpact data shows Stevens' super PACs outspent El-Sayed's campaign by 12-to-1.

Bernie Sanders dismissed Rep. Haley Stevens, stating the Michigan Democratic Senate primary is between Abdul El-Sayed and the billionaire class. Sanders claimed outside groups have spent $50 million against El-Sayed, highlighting a divide between progressive and establishment Democrats.

Republicans are gaining confidence in holding the Senate majority as Democrats face internal turmoil in Maine over candidate Graham Platner's sexual assault allegations. The Democratic race in Maine has become uncertain, shifting focus to other states like North Carolina, Iowa, and Alaska for potential pickups.

States are enacting laws to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) like CVS to lower drug prices, with Tennessee banning PBMs from operating retail pharmacies by 2028. CVS and other PBMs are contesting these regulations through legal action and advertising campaigns, arguing they help reduce drug costs by promoting generic medications.

States are implementing laws to reduce drug prices by regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) like CVS, which oversee prescription coverage for insurers. Tennessee's law, set to take effect in 2028, prohibits PBMs from operating retail pharmacies, prompting a lawsuit from CVS. Over 60% of U.S. adults express concern about affording prescriptions, with states passing measures to limit PBM compensation and increase transparency.

States are enacting laws to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) like CVS to lower drug prices, with Tennessee banning PBMs from operating retail pharmacies by 2028. CVS and other PBMs are contesting these regulations through lawsuits and advertising campaigns, arguing they help reduce drug costs by promoting generic medications.

Anthony Constantino, endorsed by Donald Trump and MAGA figures, won the Republican primary to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik in a New York House district. His victory highlights Trump's influence in the race, which featured contentious attacks and significant personal campaign spending.

Elections advertising spend for 2026 midterms is expected to reach a record high, surpassing spending in presidential election years. High-profile races in California, Texas, and other key states are driving increased ad spending earlier in the cycle, according to AdImpact.

A Nevada Independent analysis found that over a third of $14 million spent on primary campaign ads in Nevada come from groups that do not publicly disclose donors. The Service First Fund, linked to Gov. Joe Lombardo's re-election, is the top advertiser, using a 501(c)(4) nonprofit structure to avoid transparency. Republican-affiliated groups are exploiting a Nevada legal loophole to hide funders until after June primaries.

Billionaire Tom Steyer's $195 million ad spending in California's governor race surpasses all other candidates, drawing criticism for attempting to 'buy the governor’s office.' His spending exceeds Xavier Becerra's by over 20 times, with no national rival matching his ad expenditure.

Billionaire Tom Steyer's $195 million ad spending in California's gubernatorial race sets a new record for political advertising in the U.S., surpassing Meg Whitman's 2010 spending and outpacing rivals like Xavier Becerra. Critics, including Katie Porter, accuse him of trying to 'buy the governor’s office,' while his campaign faces a crowded field with no clear leader ahead of the June primary.

Democratic candidates in key midterm races are using the Jeffrey Epstein scandal to attack Republican opponents, linking them to Epstein's financial ties. The GOP counters by accusing Democrats of hypocrisy over their own past donations from Epstein-associated figures.

President Trump is trying to unseat Rep. Thomas Massie in the Republican primary. The race has become the most expensive House primary battle in U.S. history, drawing $25.6 million. The primary will determine whether there is room in the GOP for a lawmaker who defies the president.

A recent poll shows that 72% of Americans believe there is too much money in politics, with both Republicans and Democrats agreeing on the issue. The poll also found that many Americans think special interest spending is a type of corruption and that voters have too little power. Midterm spending is projected to reach $10.8 billion, shattering previous records.

Former Rep. Mary Peltola raised $8.7 million in Q1 2024, four times more than Sen. Dan Sullivan's $1.7 million, but spent $3 million, leaving her with $5.7 million in cash. Sullivan, however, entered April with $7 million in his campaign funds. Both campaigns claim financial strength, with outside groups like Democratic-aligned organizations and the Senate Leadership Fund (GOP) injecting significant funds into the race.

Republican Clay Fuller won the special election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia's 14th Congressional District, defeating Democrat Shawn Harris. His narrow margin of victory reflects a broader trend of Democratic overperformance in races since Trump's return to office.

The article reveals that House members use taxpayer-funded 'franking' privileges to spend millions on campaign ads and communications during elections. This practice, which allows lawmakers to send unsolicited mass messages, has raised ethical concerns and questions about transparency in political spending.