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2016 ElectionsReleases

Advertising Volume Up 122% Over 2012 Levels;
Spending in Presidential Race Over $400 million

Presidential Advertising Largely Positive; Dark Money Flooding Senate Contests May 12, 2016 Report Highlights • Advertising volume compared to 2008 and 2012 • GOP pres. candidates relying more on outside groups • Top outside group sponsors • Milwaukee, Hartford, Indianapolis saw most ads since March 15 • Super PACs pay for over 90% of GOP outside group ads • Candidate ads overwhelmingly positive • Issues featured in ads • Hottest Senate races are in PA, MD and AL • Senate Races: Top outside group sponsors • Senate Races: Dark money groups more active (MIDDLETOWN, CT) May 12, 2016 - Although…
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Knight Foundation provides $45,000
in new support

Election campaign advertising by outside groups continues to break records; Knight Foundation provides $45,000 in new support to Wesleyan Media Project to promote more transparency in elections MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Feb. 18, 2016 – Interest group involvement in television advertising is breaking records in the presidential primary, the Wesleyan Media Project reports today in its first 2016 analysis of political advertising in the presidential race and Senate campaigns. The project is made possible with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Wesleyan University. The report shows that advertising in the GOP primary is up 22 percent…
Wesleyan Media Project
February 18, 2016
2016 ElectionsReleases

Clinton and Sanders Even in Ad War,
Cruz and Rubio Gain on Bush in S. Carolina

Outside Group Ads Continue to Flood Airwaves in Record Numbers, Republican Ads Attack Rubio, Rubio Attacks Clinton February 18, 2016 Report Highlights • Clinton, Sanders, Bush most ads this cycle • South Carolina ad leaders • Nevada ad leaders • GOP ad spending nearly triples from 2012 • Comparing GOP and Dem ad volume and spending • Outside group sponsors in GOP race • GOP outside group types • Ad tone in GOP and Dem races • Attacks on other candidates • Issues featured in ads • Dark money in Senate races • Senate advertising volume (MIDDLETOWN, CT) February 18,…
Wesleyan Media Project
February 18, 2016
2016 ElectionsReleases

Super PACs Dominate Airwaves

Outside Spending Groups Air Over 80 Percent of Ads in GOP Primaries, Almost All are Sponsored by Super PACs; Big gaps between advertising and polls: Pro-Bush ads more than double nearest GOP rival, Pro-Cruz ads are rare and Trump noticeably absent, Dark money fueling Rubio December 15, 2015 Report Highlights • Ad volume in 2015 compared to 2011, 2007 • Aggregate ad spending and airings • Candidate ad volume; Trump airs zero ads • Right to Rise is most active GOP outside group advertiser • Full-disclosure groups dominate • Ads are overwhelmingly positive to date • Boston/Manchester, NH and Iowa…
Wesleyan Media Project
December 15, 2015