Get Ready for an Influx of Ruben Gallego Campaign Ads!

Political advertising is set to surge as the upcoming election draws near. A recent report by AdImpact reveals that nearly $1.8 billion has been allocated for commercial airtime from Labor Day until Election Day across the nation, with approximately $150 million earmarked specifically for Arizona.

The U.S. Senate race is a focal point, absorbing $65 million of Arizona’s budget. Notably, Democrat Ruben Gallego has earmarked $18.3 million in campaign funds, marking the highest individual amount allocated for any Senate candidate nationwide.

Gallego’s Republican opponent, Kari Lake, lags in fundraising efforts. However, significant outside spending, aimed at swaying voters, will likely influence the competitive landscape. This Senate race carries substantial weight, with potential implications for the balance of power within the Senate, particularly as Democrats strive to maintain a slim majority amid a contentious political climate.

AdImpact forecasts that around $603 million will be spent on 34 Senate races in 2024, with Democrats expected to account for nearly $348 million of this total. According to the report, Democrats are facing formidable challenges due to a historically difficult electoral map.

Currently, Republicans control 49 Senate seats. They are poised to seize the seat that will be vacated by Joe Manchin in West Virginia, placing them on the brink of increasing their majority. This scenario means that securing just one additional seat held by a Democrat, or Arizona’s own Kyrsten Sinema—who recently changed her registration to independent—could tip the balance in their favor.

In a related development, NBC News reports on a significant investment by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus political action committee, which intends to allocate roughly $1.1 million to support Gallego’s campaign. This funding includes about $690,000 for Spanish-language media, digital advertisements totaling $250,000, and $158,000 earmarked for statewide Spanish radio ads.

Arizona’s relevance extends beyond the Senate race; it plays a crucial role in the presidential election as well. According to the Cook Political Report, 226 electoral votes lean Democratic, while the Republicans hold 219. Arizona, with its 11 electoral votes, is classified as a swing state.

AdImpact indicates that nearly $40 million is designated for presidential campaign ads in Arizona leading up to Election Day. Of this amount, a substantial $34.9 million is focused on supporting Kamala Harris, leaving Donald Trump with $9.9 million in planned spending.

In comparison, the total anticipated political spending in Arizona, including ballot measures, stands at about $150 million. Much of this funding is expected to target Proposition 139, which seeks to enshrine the right to abortion in the Arizona Constitution. Recent reports show that Arizona for Abortion Access has over $9.7 million in cash on hand, while its opposition, It Goes Too Far, has under $400,000 available.

As the Republican and Democratic campaigns ramp up, stakeholders and voters alike brace for an intense advertising battle that will shape the political landscape in Arizona and beyond.