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2016 ElectionsReleases

Pro-Clinton Ads Continue to Dominate Airwaves

By September 20, 2016July 14th, 2017No Comments

Parties, Republican Groups Staying Out of Presidential Race,
but Trump Advertising at Same Pace as Romney in 2012;
Senate Advertising Heats Up: Outside Group Activity Continues to Break Records;
Third of Group Ads are Dark Money

September 20, 2016

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Report Highlights

• Pro-Clinton ads dominating in most markets (Figures 1 & 2)
• Party ads and pro-GOP group ads down in Pres. race (Table 2)
• Pres. advertising is more negative in 2016 (Table 3)
• Only Clinton reaching out through Spanish-Language advertising (Go to section)
• Pres. ad spending nearly $600M for more than 700K ads (Table 4)
• Jobs and employment top the list of presidential issues (Table 11)
• Libertarian candidate places ads outside of swing states (Go to section)
• Senate race ads sponsored by outside groups reach an all-time high (Figure 3)
• 2016 Senate advertising heats up in last month ( Table 5)
• Top US Senate races, PA and NV leading way (Table 6)
• NC, MT and MO leading 2016 Governor races (Table 7)
• MT, ME and MN top list of US House races (Table 8)
• Top group advertisers in 2016 election cycle (Table 9)
• Dark money makes up a third of Senate advertising (Table 10)

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(MIDDLETOWN, CT) September 20, 2016 – Although Donald Trump and his allies are now advertising in battleground states, advertising favoring Trump has not kept pace with advertising favoring Clinton. Since August 19, the date the Trump campaign aired its first ad in the general election, the Clinton campaign and allied organizations (such as Priorities USA Action) have aired almost 62,000 ads, compared with about 27,000 spots by Trump and groups that support him.

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“Pro-Clinton ads have outnumbered pro-Trump ads by over two to one in the past month, and yet the polls have moved in Trump’s direction during that same time frame,” said Travis Ridout, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that ads aren’t working this year, but it does suggest that the larger media narrative has been more important than exposure to advertising in moving voters.”

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Figure 1 shows the geographic advertising advantage for each candidate with red showing Trump advantages and blue showing Clinton advantages.


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Figure 1: Advertising Advantages in the Presidential Race, by Market (Since August 19)

figure1_png2

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Figure 2 provides further illustration of the market advantages by plotting the number of pro-Clinton ads in each media market on the x-axis and the number of pro-Trump ads in each media market on the y-axis. The dots above the line show the small number of media markets in which pro-Trump ads have outnumbered pro-Clinton ads. These markets are mainly found in those states in which Clinton has had a decent polling lead, including Michigan (Lansing, Detroit and Grand Rapids), Virginia (Roanoke), and Colorado (Colorado Springs, Denver and Grand Junction). They also include some very small media markets in battleground states, such as Ottumwa and Sioux City in Iowa, Lima in Ohio and Burlington, Vermont, which reaches parts of New Hampshire.


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Figure 2: Plot of Clinton and Trump ads by Media Market (Since August 19)

figure2_png
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In most media markets, however, pro-Clinton ads have dominated. Table 1 lists the 20 media markets that have received the greatest number of ads in the past month, broken down by party. The last column shows that pro-Democratic ads range from 60 percent of the total in Toledo to 85 percent of the total in Las Vegas.

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Table 1: Volume of Presidential Ads by Media Market (Since August 19)

MarketDem AdsDem Est.
Cost
(in Ms)
Rep AdsRep Est.
Cost
(in Ms)
Total
Ads
Total
Cost
(in Ms)
% Dem
Orlando3,6144.21,7161.95,3306.167.8
Tampa3,3423.21,6981.45,0404.666.3
Charlotte2,8431.89640.73,8072.574.7
W. Palm Beach2,5371.21,2170.53,7541.767.6
Greensboro2,5390.79160.33,4550.973.5
Raleigh2,5481.48920.53,4401.974.1
Cleveland2,1932.11,0920.83,2852.966.8
Philadelphia2,0251.81,1281.23,1533.064.2
Columbus1,8201.31,0810.72,9012.062.7
Las Vegas2,4471.43810.32,8651.885.4
Jacksonville1,6680.59770.32,6450.963.1
Dayton1,7380.78290.42,5671.167.7
Pittsburgh1,8941.16680.52,5621.673.9
Cincinnati1,6250.98830.52,5081.464.8
Harrisburg1,6240.78360.52,4601.266.0
Toledo1,4670.79590.42,4261.160.5
Wilmington1,6730.26770.12,3500.371.2
Des Moines1,7800.83530.22,2061.080.7
Reno1,6100.54070.22,0640.778.0
Cedar Rapids1,6130.53250.12,0050.680.4
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016.
Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.
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Compared to the same period in 2012, the volume of television advertising is down in the presidential race (Table 2). In 2012, 152,000 ads aired in the presidential race between August 19 and September 15, but only 89,000 ads aired during that same time period in the current cycle. On the Democratic side, group advertising is actually up 65 percent over 2012 totals (over 11,500 compared to just over 7,000 in 2012), but Clinton has aired nearly 27,500 fewer ads than Obama did during the same period.

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“Contrary to what we saw this summer, the major reason for the decline in advertising on the Republican side over the last month is not that the Trump campaign has been sitting back but that outside groups have not come in to help him like they did with Romney in 2012,” said Erika Franklin Fowler, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project. “In fact, the Trump campaign actually put more ads on the air in the August 19 to September 15 period than did the Romney campaign four years ago.”

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Another factor contributing to the decline of advertising in the presidential race is that the political parties have been absent, unlike in 2012 when the Republican Party, especially, paid for a considerable number of ads.

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Table 2: Presidential Ad Totals by Party and Sponsorship in 2012 and 2016

CandidatesParty/ CoordinatedGroupsTotal
2012 Pro-Democratic
Ads aired77,7311,0967,01585,842
Row %90.6%1.3%8.2%
Est. Cost$40.0M$0.5M$3.4M
2012 Pro-Republican
Ads aired22,4897,80136,80067,090
Row %33.5%11.6%54.9%
Est. Cost$13.8M$5.4M$29.0M
2016 Pro-Democratic
Ads aired50,26711,54961,816
Row %81.3%18.7%
Est. Cost$33.5M$9.3M
% count chg-35.3%64.6%-28.0%
2016 Pro-Republican
Ads aired23,4353,80327,238
Row %86.0%14.0%
Est. Cost$14.2M$3.2M
% count chg4.2%-89.7%-59.4%
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016. Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.
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Libertarian Johnson Focuses Outside Swing States

Trump and Clinton are not the only candidates on the air. In the past month, Libertarian Gary Johnson has aired almost 1,700 ads across the country. But instead of focusing all of his efforts in the most competitive battleground states, he has been concentrating his advertising efforts in states such as Maine, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and his home state of New Mexico. Still, his ad totals are very small in comparison to the Democratic and Republican tickets.

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Presidential Ad Race Filled With Attacks

The numbers confirm what most people assumed from the start: this presidential race would be a nasty one. As Table 3 shows, 53.4 percent of ad airings in the past month have been negative (up from 48 percent for the comparable period in 2012), which we define as ads focused solely on an opponent. Another 27.9 percent have been contrast (down from 41 percent in 2012), which are those mentioning both the favored candidate and the opponent. Just 18.7 percent of ads have been positive, those focused solely on the favored candidate, but that is up from only 11 percent in the comparable period in 2012.

Clinton and Trump have taken different approaches with their advertising. Just over 60 percent of Clinton’s ads have attacked Trump while 31 percent have been positive, focusing on Clinton. Trump, on the other hand, has by and large used contrast ads, which both promote himself and attack Clinton. He has aired no positive ads. The groups that support the candidates have been extremely negative; all pro-Clinton group-sponsored ads have been negative, while 93.7 percent of pro-Trump group-sponsored ads have been negative.

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Table 3: Tone of Presidential Advertising

Pro-ClintonNegativeContrastPositive
Candidate60.9%7.7%31.4%
Group100.0%0.0%0.0%
Pro-TrumpNegativeContrastPositive
Candidate11.4%88.6%0.0%
Group93.7%0.0%6.3%
Overall53.4%27.9%18.7%
Figures are from August 19 to September 15, 2016. 
Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS:  Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project
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Clinton Reaches Out to Spanish-Language Voters

Since September 7, Clinton has aired 3 different Spanish-language ads a total of 447 times; Trump has aired none. (Prior to September 7, Clinton hadn’t aired a Spanish language ad since late June). The bulk of Clinton’s Spanish-language advertising was seen in Las Vegas, but her campaign has also aired Spanish-language ads in Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Three pro-Clinton groups—El Super PAC Voto Latino, Latino Victory Fund and Priorities USA Action—have combined for another 397 Spanish-language ads in the past month (8/19 to 9/15). These ads aired in Denver, Las Vegas, Miami and Orlando.

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Cycle-to-Date Spending Almost $600 Million in Presidential Race

Estimated spending on advertising in the presidential race, starting from January 1, 2015, is now at $578 million, with just over 700,000 total ad airings (Table 4). At the same time, spending on ads in US Senate races for the 2015-16 election cycle has topped $319 million, which has purchased over 388,000 ad airings. Spending on gubernatorial and U.S. House races have both topped $100 million. All told, over $1 billion have been spent on federal and gubernatorial races to date this cycle.

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Table 4: Spending and Ad Counts in 2015-16 Election Cycle

Est. Cost
(in Millions)
Airings
President578.1700,452
Governor101.8275,914
US House105.3192,556
US Senate319.6388,004
Federal and Governor Total1,104.91,556,926
Ballot Measures65.589,346
Figures are from January 1, 2015 to September 15, 2016.
Numbers include broadcast television (national network and national cable are included in presidential totals).
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.

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Proportion of Outside Group Ads in 2016 Senate Races at All-Time High; Over Half of Republican Airings Sponsored by Groups

Total airings in Senate races in 2016 are down from 2012 levels, but the involvement of outside groups as a proportion of all airings is breaking records. Outside groups have sponsored over 45 percent of all Senate airings in the 2016 election cycle-to-date, and as shown in Figure 3, Republican groups have sponsored nearly 52 percent of all pro-Republican Senate airings (up from 49 percent in 2014, 40 percent in 2012 and 18 percent in 2010). Democratic groups have sponsored nearly 40 percent of pro-Democratic Senate airings, essentially the same proportion they aired in 2014, which is up dramatically from 26 percent in 2012 and 11 percent in 2010.

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Figure 3: Percent of Senate Ads by Outside Groups, Cycle-to-Date

figure3_senategroups_3

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2016 Senate Advertising in Last Month is Up Over 2012 Levels

Although 2016 cycle-to-date Senate advertising totals are lower than 2012, in the last month Senate advertising has outpaced 2012 totals for the comparable period by 6 percent overall (Table 5). Most of the increase has been driven by more Republican advertising (a 12 percent increase compared to 2012 totals). Candidate-sponsored advertising on both sides of the aisle is down dramatically, dropping by nearly 20 percent on the Democratic side and by a full third on the Republican side. Outside groups, meanwhile, have increased their number of airings, as have party-sponsored airings, which are up dramatically over 2012 totals.

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“It seems clear that the party committees and especially pro-Republican groups are putting more energy into the race for the U.S. Senate than they are for the White House,” said Michael Franz, co-director or the Wesleyan Media Project. “As the presidential race tightens, however, it will be interesting to see if pro-Trump ads from either the RNC or conservative super PACs show up on television screens in competitive states.”

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Table 5: Senate Ad Totals by Party and Sponsorship in 2012 and 2016

CandidatesParty/ CoordinatedGroupsTotal
2012 Pro-Democratic
Ads aired36,9805,52413,02356,062
Row %66.0%9.9%23.2%
Est. Cost$16.6M$1.5M$6.0M
2012 Pro-Republican
Ads aired30,7573,99419,56854,543
Row %56.4%7.3%35.9%
Est. Cost$14.4M$0.5M$11.4M
2016 Pro-Democratic
Ads aired29,78512,31914,37056,474
Row %52.7%21.8%25.4%
Est. Cost$15.6M$2.1M$14.6M
% count chg-19.5%123.0%10.3%0.7%
2016 Pro-Republican
Ads aired20,52616,58423,90561,015
Row %33.6%27.2%39.2%
Est. Cost$12.2M$5.6M$19.4M
% count chg-33.3%315.2%22.2%11.9%
Figures are from August 19 to September 15 in each year.
Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.

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Pennsylvania, Nevada Senate Races Top Charts

Races for the U.S. Senate have heated up over the past month, with races in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Indiana, Ohio and New Hampshire drawing the most attention (Table 6). Among the most competitive races, Democrats held ad advantages in Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Colorado, while Republicans held huge advantages in Ohio, Missouri, Florida, and Indiana; Republicans have also held advantages in North Carolina and Arizona. Group spending has been especially important in the Pennsylvania race, where groups have accounted for almost 60 percent of advertising in the past month (over 6,400 ads from pro-Democratic groups and nearly 5,000 from pro-Republican ones).

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Table 6: Ad Volume and Spending in Top US Senate Races (Since August 19)

StateAiringsEst Cost
(in Ms)
Dem
Adv.
Pro-Dem
Cand.
Pro-Dem
Group
Pro-Dem
Pty/
Coord
Pro-Rep
Cand.
Pro-Rep
Group
Pro-Rep
Pty/
Coord
PA18,2659.92,9072,3256,4511,8102,0204,947712
NV13,8716.59012,7173,3721,2971,2312,6532,601
IN12,4244.9-1,5165,3896506862,3193,965
OH11,3937.4-4,5232,1667285413,1683,5271,263
NH8,51016.91,4661,9362,8811711,4321,581509
MO8,0923.7-2,1101,3491971,4453,0491,512540
WI7,8153.12,1414,84513301,3981,4390
FL6,0894.5-2,3751,39845903811,6042,247
NC5,4024.0-1,1062,0648409481,502804
AZ4,5563.4-1,5621,497007961,452811
IL2,9201.01721,5460061,3680
LA2,7801.2-2,76010002,76910
IA2,2701.4-414928001,34200
CO1,2890.91,2891,28900000
GA7100.4-71000071000
ID3270.05-32700032700
KY3150.2235275004000
AR1670.07-16700016700
VT510.03515100000
AK380.006-380003800
KS180.01-180001800
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016.
Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.

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Republican groups have also been advertising heavily in Ohio (over 3,500 airings, accounting for 44 percent of pro-Republican advertising), Nevada (over 2,600 airings and 41 percent of GOP ads on air), and Indiana (over 2,300 airings, a third of the Republican total). Seven other contests have seen roughly 1,500 spots each from pro-Republican groups in the last month. Democratic groups have been heavily involved in Nevada (nearly 3400 airings and 46 percent of pro-Democratic spots) and New Hampshire (nearly 2900 airings and 58 percent of pro-Democratic ads). More specific information on which groups were active in each race can be found in the appendix tables.


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North Carolina Tops Governor Race Spending

Races for governor have also heated up in the past month, with North Carolina’s race between incumbent Pat McCrory and challenger Roy Cooper seeing the most ad airings (over 11,000) and the most spending (almost $6 million), as Table 7 shows. Democrat Cooper has benefited from about 1,600 more ads than Republican McCrory. Also seeing plentiful advertising in the past month were gubernatorial races in Montana and Missouri, each of which experienced over 9,000 ad airings.

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Table 7: Ad Volume and Spending in Top Governor Races (Since August 19)*

StateAiringsEst Cost
(in Ms)
Dem
Adv.
Pro-Dem
Cand.
Pro-Dem
Group
Pro-Dem
Pty/
Coord
Pro-Rep
Cand.
Pro-Rep
Group
Pro-Rep
Pty/
Coord
NC11,3986.01,6845,69584603,39101,466
MT9,9181.3-7463,0431,54305,0330299
MO9,0483.82,5505,799003,24900
IN5,3722.04182,895002,0350442
WV3,4200.91,0168901,32801,20200
NH1,5160.8-524496001,02000
VT1,3770.4-7857622007613200
OR2170.1-129440017300
UT920.1909100100
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016.
Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
*For sponsor breakdowns see Table C in the appendix.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.


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Table 8 shows the top ten US House races, ranked by the volume of ads since August 19. Montana’s at-large congressional seat has seen the most advertising, followed by Maine’s second congressional district race and Minnesota’s 8th congressional district. In 9 of the top 10 races (Florida’s second district is the exception), advertising on behalf of the Democratic candidate has been greater in volume than advertising on behalf of the Republican candidate.

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Table 8: Ad Volume and Spending in Top House Races (Since August 19)

DistrictAiringsEst. Cost
(in Ms)
Dem Adv.Pro-Dem
Cand.
Pro-Dem
Group
Pro-Dem
Pty/
Coord
Pro-Rep
Cand
Pro-Rep
Group
Pro-Rep
Pty/
Coord
MT014,1090.58452,477001,63200
ME023,3371.01,4471342,25804980447
MN083,3172.21,4796229588185730346
NY223,095*0.62,2621,1851,0770000
FL182,2881.01141,20100744130213
FL021,9410.6-1,9410001,3216200
NY231,9010.61,1791,5400036100
NE021,7070.64374272463991620473
MI071,6410.59731,3070033400
NY241,4380.52448410059700
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016.
Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
*Totals include third party advertising.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.


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Priorities USA Action is Top Group Advertiser

Several groups have become involved in the presidential and congressional campaigns, as Table 9 shows. At the top of the list is Priorities USA Action, which has aired almost 45,000 ads in the presidential race in support of Hillary Clinton. Though they haven’t aired ads since February and March, respectively, Right to Rise USA, a super PAC that supported Jeb Bush, and Conservative Solutions PAC, which supported Marco Rubio, are still the second and third biggest advertisers this election cycle. Thirteen of the groups on this list have been active through the end of the summer, while the rest were involved only in the presidential nomination phase of this election cycle.

Table 9: Top 20 Group Advertisers in 2015-16 Election Cycle

Group NameDate of First AdDate of Last AdAds AiredPres. AdsSen. AdsHouse AdsOrg Type
Priorities USA Action18-May-1615-Sep-1644,82644,82600superPAC
Right To Rise USA15-Sep-1523-Feb-1635,55835,55800superPAC
Conservative Solutions PAC1-Dec-1518-Mar-1630,16930,16900superPAC
Senate Majority PAC12-Aug-1515-Sep-1626,351026,3510superPAC
Freedom Partners Action Fund17-Mar-1615-Sep-1622,340022,3400superPAC
One Nation8-Oct-156-Sep-1620,216020,2160501c4
U.S. Chamber of Commerce30-Jun-158-Sep-1616,681014,4882,193501c6
Club for Growth Action6-May-1530-Aug-1612,5596,5489385,073superPAC
Fighting for Ohio Fund6-May-164-Sep-1610,593010,5930superPAC
Stand for Truth, Inc13-Jan-1615-Mar-1610,33010,33000superPAC
Women Vote1-Dec-1515-Sep-168,3361,3056,731300superPAC
American Future Fund27-Jan-1615-Sep-168,0725,2882,7840501c4
Rebuilding America Now PAC8-Jun-1615-Sep-167,7997,79900superPAC
Our Principles PAC26-Jan-163-May-167,0007,00000superPAC
AFSCME People29-Apr-1615-Sep-165,58405,5840PAC
New Day For America9-Jul-156-May-165,3945,39400superPAC
America Leads20-Jul-159-Feb-165,3775,37700superPAC
End Citizens United3-Mar-1615-Sep-165,25604,444812PAC
NRA Political Victory Fund30-Jun-1615-Sep-165,1844,5146700PAC
Keep The Promise I12-Sep-151-Mar-164,9574,95700superPAC
Figures are from January 1, 2015, to September 15, 2016.
Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.
Group classification by the Center for Responsive Politics.


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Year of the Super PAC; More than a Third of Ads in Senate are Dark

Analysis done in conjunction with the Center for Responsive Politics reveals that full disclosure groups (mostly Super PACs) continue to dominate advertising in 2016, making up a majority of outside group advertising in federal races (Table 10). About 60 percent of group-sponsored advertising in Senate contests, more than three-quarters of group advertising in House races and over 90 percent of group ads in the presidential race were sponsored by groups that fully disclose their donors. However, “dark money” advertising, which is aired by 501cs that are not required to disclose their donors, comprises over a third of all outside group ads in Senate contests and nearly a quarter (22 percent) in House races cycle-to-date. A small percentage of ads were sponsored by groups that partially disclose; in many cases, this means that they disclose the groups that donate to them but those donors are themselves dark money groups.

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Table 10: Group Advertisers and Donor Disclosure

AdsEst. Cost
(in Millions)
% of total
PresidentFull184,605246.591.9%
Partial1,6351.20.8%
None14,61819.87.3%
200,858267.5
SenateFull104,60395.259.6%
Partial8,14713.24.6%
None62,83880.135.8%
175,588188.5
HouseFull18,73711.076.0%
Partial5210.32.1%
None5,4054.221.9%
24,66315.5
Figures are from January 1, 2015, to September 15, 2016.
Numbers include broadcast television, national network and national cable.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.
Group classification by the Center for Responsive Politics.
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“With the election in its final days and millions of dollars in secret money giving a boost to both sides in tight senate and house races, the question for voters and constituents is who their new representatives in Congress may feel beholden to once they’re in office,” said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics. “The public has very few avenues to track this kind of access and influence.”


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Jobs Is Top Issue in Presidential Race

Clinton and Trump have both highlighted jobs and employment issues in their advertising with nearly 6 out of every 10 presidential ads mentioning those issues (nearly 67 percent of Clinton-sponsored ads and roughly 63 percent of Trump-sponsored ads). Pro-Clinton groups are attacking primarily on social and women’s issues along with foreign policy and immigration, while Pro-Trump groups are highlighting funding for the Clinton Foundation and its ties to big banks/corporations, with gun rights taking a distant third place.

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Table 11: Top Issues in Presidential Race by Sponsor


ClintonPro-Clinton GroupsTrumpPro-Trump Groups
Jobs/EmploymentWomen's healthJobs/EmploymentGov't ethics/scandal
Trade/globalizationTerrorismMinimum wageWall Street
Energy/environmentIraq/War in IraqTaxesGun control
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.

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Appendix

Table A: US Senate Advertising by Race and Sponsor (since August 19)

RaceSponsorTypePartyAiringsEst. Cost
(in Ms)
AlaskaMURKOWSKI, LISACandidateRep380.006
ArkansasBOOZMAN, JOHNCandidateRep1670.07
ArizonaKIRKPATRICK, ANNCandidateDem1,4971.1
ArizonaMCCAIN, JOHNCandidateRep7960.6
ArizonaMCCAIN, JOHN & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEECandidate & PartyRep8110.4
ArizonaARIZONA GRASSROOTS ACTION PACGroupRep7320.7
ArizonaKELLIPACGroupRep4030.4
ArizonaNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR GUN RIGHTS PACGroupRep10.001
ArizonaU.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCEGroupRep3160.2
ColoradoBENNET, MICHAELCandidateDem1,2890.9
FloridaDE LA FUENTE, ROCKYCandidateDem940.04
FloridaGRAYSON, ALANCandidateDem4250.09
FloridaMURPHY, PATRICKCandidateDem8790.8
FloridaAFSCME PEOPLEGroupDem1250.2
FloridaNARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICAGroupDem2010.1
FloridaSENATE MAJORITY PACGroupDem1330.2
FloridaRUBIO, MARCOCandidateRep3810.2
FloridaRUBIO, MARCO & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEECandidate & PartyRep1,5490.6
FloridaAMERICAN FUTURE FUNDGroupRep1,0141.2
FloridaAMERICANS FOR PROSPERITYGroupRep1750.2
FloridaLIBRE INITIATIVEGroupRep4150.4
FloridaNATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEEPARTYRep6980.5
GeorgiaISAKSON, JOHNNYCandidateRep7100.4
IowaJUDGE, PATTYCandidateDem9280.4
IowaGRASSLEY, CHUCKCandidateRep1,3420.9
IdahoCRAPO, MIKECandidateRep3270.05
IllinoisDUCKWORTH, TAMMYCandidateDem1,5460.7
IllinoisKIRK, MARKCandidateRep60.006
IllinoisINDEPENDENT VOICE FOR ILLINOIS PACGroupRep1,3680.3
IndianaBAYH, EVANCandidateDem5,3892.1
IndianaSENATE MAJORITY PACGroupDem650.04
IndianaYOUNG, TODDCandidateRep6860.4
IndianaYOUNG, TODD & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEECandidate & PartyRep3,0360.5
IndianaSENATE LEADERSHIP FUNDGroupRep7910.5
IndianaU.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCEGroupRep1,5281.1
IndianaNATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEEPartyRep9290.3
KansasMORAN, JERRYCandidateRep180.01
KentuckyGRAY, JIMCandidateDem2750.2
KentuckyPAUL, RANDCandidateRep400.02
LouisianaPELLERIN, JOSHCandidateDem100.005
LouisianaBOUSTANY, CHARLESCandidateRep8140.6
LouisianaFLEMING, JOHNCandidateRep1,9550.7
LouisianaESA FUNDGroupRep10.0005
MissouriKANDER, JASONCandidateDem1,3490.6
MissouriKANDER, JASON & DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEECandidate & PartyDem1,4450.4
MissouriEND CITIZENS UNITEDGroupDem1970.2
MissouriBLUNT, ROYCandidateRep3,0491.2
MissouriBLUNT, ROY & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEECandidate & PartyRep5400.2
MissouriHEARTLAND RESURGENCEGroupRep1430.04
MissouriNRA POLITICAL VICTORY FUNDGroupRep4860.3
MissouriONE NATIONGroupRep5470.5
MissouriSENATE LEADERSHIP FUNDGroupRep3360.3
North CarolinaROSS, DEBORAHCandidateDem2,0641.1
North CarolinaDEMOCRACY FOR AMERICAGroupDem840.05
North CarolinaBURR, RICHARDCandidateRep9480.8
North CarolinaBURR, RICHARD & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEECandidate & PartyRep8040.2
North CarolinaNRA POLITICAL VICTORY FUNDGroupRep1840.2
North CarolinaONE NATIONGroupRep9571.4
North CarolinaSENATE LEADERSHIP FUNDGroupRep3610.3
New HampshireHASSAN, MAGGIECandidateDem1,9361.6
New HampshireAFSCME PEOPLEGroupDem540.3
New HampshireEND CITIZENS UNITEDGroupDem2660.6
New HampshireINDEPENDENCE USA PACGroupDem7802.0
New HampshireMAJORITY FORWARDGroupDem6162.1
New HampshireNEA ADVOCACY FUNDGroupDem4021.6
New HampshirePLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTESGroupDem2780.7
New HampshireSENATE MAJORITY PACGroupDem3670.9
New HampshireWOMEN VOTEGroupDem1180.4
New HampshireDEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem1710.04
New HampshireAYOTTE, KELLYCandidateRep1,4321.3
New HampshireGRANITE STATE SOLUTIONSGroupRep1,5364.6
New HampshireSECURITY IS STRENGTH PACGroupRep450.2
New HampshireNATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEEPartyRep5090.4
NevadaMASTO, CATHERINE CORTEZCandidateDem2,7171.7
NevadaAFSCME PEOPLEGroupDem140.005
NevadaEND CITIZENS UNITEDGroupDem1,3620.5
NevadaLCV VICTORY FUNDGroupDem7290.4
NevadaSENATE MAJORITY PACGroupDem1,2670.6
NevadaDEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem1,2970.4
NevadaHECK, JOECandidateRep1,2311.0
NevadaHECK, JOE & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEECandidate & PartyRep2720.09
NevadaFREEDOM PARTNERS ACTION FUNDGroupRep2,1180.9
NevadaONE NATIONGroupRep1950.05
NevadaSENATE LEADERSHIP FUNDGroupRep3400.1
NevadaNATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEEPartyRep2,3290.8
OhioSTRICKLAND, TEDCandidateDem2,1661.6
OhioSTRICKLAND, TED & DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEECandidate & PartyDem5410.3
OhioAFSCMEGroupDem7280.5
OhioPORTMAN, ROBCandidateRep3,1682.2
OhioPORTMAN, ROB & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEECandidate & PartyRep430.03
OhioFIGHTING FOR OHIO FUNDGroupRep1,9390.8
OhioFREEDOM PARTNERS ACTION FUNDGroupRep1,2150.9
OhioU.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCEGroupRep3730.3
OhioNATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEEPartyRep1,2200.7
PennsylvaniaMCGINTY, KATIECandidateDem2,3251.2
PennsylvaniaMCGINTY, KATIE & DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEECandidate & PartyDem1,1460.4
PennsylvaniaAFSCME PEOPLEGroupDem3900.2
PennsylvaniaEND CITIZENS UNITEDGroupDem1,0470.5
PennsylvaniaLCV VICTORY FUNDGroupDem6350.4
PennsylvaniaPLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTESGroupDem4970.2
PennsylvaniaSENATE MAJORITY PACGroupDem3,8821.7
PennsylvaniaDEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem6640.5
PennsylvaniaTOOMEY, PATCandidateRep2,0201.3
PennsylvaniaAMERICANS FOR PROSPERITYGroupRep2800.1
PennsylvaniaFREEDOM PARTNERS ACTION FUNDGroupRep3,1461.2
PennsylvaniaINDEPENDENCE USA PACGroupRep1,0460.9
PennsylvaniaONE NATIONGroupRep4750.3
PennsylvaniaNATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEEPartyRep7120.7
VermontLEAHY, PATRICKCandidateDem510.03
WisconsinFEINGOLD, RUSSCandidateDem4,8451.5
WisconsinENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE ACTION FUNDGroupDem1330.1
WisconsinJOHNSON, RONCandidateRep1,3980.6
WisconsinFREEDOM PARTNERS ACTION FUNDGroupRep9890.5
WisconsinLET AMERICA WORKGroupRep4500.4
Download this table.
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.

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Table B: US House Advertising by Race and Sponsor (since August 19)

StateRaceSponsorTypePartyAiringsEst. Cost
(in Ms)
AKAK01LINDBECK, STEVECandidateDem1810.03
AZAZ01DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem5470.4
AZAZ01ROGERS, WENDYCandidateRep1190.05
AZAZ02HEINZ, MATTCandidateDem8370.3
AZAZ02MCSALLY, MARTHACandidateRep4010.3
AZAZ05JONES, CHRISTINECandidateRep7350.5
AZAZ05STAPLEY, DONCandidateRep260.03
AZAZ09CENTER FORWARDGroupDem3160.3
CACA07BERA, AMICandidateDem4590.2
CACA20LUCIUS, CASEYCandidateRep2210.06
CACA24CARBAJAL, SALUDCandidateDem1070.01
CACA24NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEPartyRep5820.07
CACA36RUIZ, RAULCandidateDem5980.1
CACA52PETERS, SCOTTCandidateDem660.04
CACA52CENTER FORWARDGroupDem3430.2
COCO06CARROLL, MORGANCandidateDem3140.4
COCO06COFFMAN, MIKECandidateRep160.05
DEDE01BARNEY, SEANCandidateDem2440.2
DEDE01BLUNT ROCHESTER, LISACandidateDem2450.3
DEDE01VOTE VETS ACTION FUNDGroupDem600.05
FLFL01EVERS, GREGCandidateRep330.01
FLFL01GAETZ, MATTCandidateRep4210.1
FLFL01ZUMWALT, JAMESCandidateRep290.01
FLFL01NORTH FLORIDA NEIGHBORSGroupRep430.03
FLFL02DUNN, NEALCandidateRep5250.2
FLFL02SUKHIA, KENCandidateRep1340.03
FLFL02THOMAS, MARYCandidateRep6620.1
FLFL02CLUB FOR GROWTH ACTIONGroupRep2070.1
FLFL02ESA FUNDGroupRep2360.1
FLFL02SENATE CONSERVATIVES ACTIONGroupRep1770.08
FLFL04MALIN, EDCandidateRep60.0007
FLFL04MCCLURE, BILLCandidateRep1040.03
FLFL04RAY, LAKECandidateRep120.006
FLFL04RUTHERFORD, JOHNCandidateRep400.02
FLFL04TANZLER, HANSCandidateRep3280.08
FLFL04CONSERVATIVES UNITEDGroupRep210.006
FLFL05LAWSON, ALCandidateDem300.009
FLFL06DESANTIS, RONCandidateRep2670.1
FLFL07MURPHY, STEPHANIE & DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEECand. & PartyDem770.04
FLFL09GRAYSON, DENACandidateDem1990.9
FLFL10DEMINGS, VALCandidateDem1160.1
FLFL10POE, BOBCandidateDem10.001
FLFL10INDEPENDENCE USA PACGroupDem3200.3
FLFL13JOLLY, DAVIDCandidateRep230.02
FLFL18CHANE, JONATHANCandidateDem740.02
FLFL18PERKINS, RANDYCandidateDem1,1270.5
FLFL18DOMINO, CARLCandidateRep1350.06
FLFL18FREEMAN, MARKCandidateRep2350.09
FLFL18KOZELL, RICKCandidateRep470.02
FLFL18MAST, BRIANCandidateRep1370.07
FLFL18NEGRON, REBECCACandidateRep1900.09
FLFL18MAST, BRIAN & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEECand. & PartyRep30.0008
FLFL18CONSERVATIVE CONGRESS NOWGroupRep1300.08
FLFL18NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEPartyRep2100.09
FLFL19BONGINO, DANCandidateRep310.02
FLFL19GOSS, CHAUNCEYCandidateRep280.02
FLFL19ROONEY, FRANCISCandidateRep1,3110.5
FLFL23CANOVA, TIMCandidateDem3410.3
FLFL23WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ, DEBBIECandidateDem3260.3
FLFL25EDF ACTIONGroupRep580.08
FLFL26TADDEO, ANNETTECandidateDem830.07
FLFL26CURBELO, CARLOSCandidateRep850.2
FLFL26EDF ACTIONGroupRep1090.1
FLFL27ROS-LEHTINEN, ILEANACandidateRep2530.3
IAIA01VERNON, MONICACandidateDem4960.2
IAIA01HOUSE MAJORITY PACGroupDem1180.03
IAIA01BLUM, RODCandidateRep4350.2
IAIA01NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEPartyRep670.01
IAIA03DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEECandidateDem930.03
IAIA03MOWRER, JIMCandidateDem3100.2
IAIA03YOUNG, DAVIDCandidateRep4730.2
ILIL10SCHNEIDER, BRADCandidateDem950.2
ILIL10DOLD, ROBERTCandidateRep200.07
ILIL12BARICEVIC, CJCandidateDem3220.2
ILIL12BOST, MIKECandidateRep1960.2
ININ02COLEMAN, LYNNCandidateDem1740.05
ININ02WALORSKI, JACKIECandidateRep3420.1
ININ09HOLLINGSWORTH, TREYCandidateRep1680.1
KSKS03YODER, KEVINCandidateRep340.02
KYKY06BARR, ANDYCandidateRep2750.1
LALA02AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL & NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONSGroupDem2230.1
LALA03ELLISON, GREGCandidateRep1750.09
LALA04JONES, MARSHALLCandidateDem20.002
LALA04BAUCUM, TREYCandidateRep1050.05
LALA04JENKINS, OLIVERCandidateRep610.03
MEME02CAIN, EMILYCandidateDem1340.04
MEME02END CITIZENS UNITEDGroupDem8120.2
MEME02HOUSE MAJORITY PACGroupDem1,4460.5
MEME02POLIQUIN, BRUCECandidateRep4980.2
MEME02NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEPartyRep4470.09
MIMI01NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEPartyRep1480.03
MIMI07DRISKELL, GRETCHENCandidateDem1,3070.5
MIMI07WALBERG, TIMCandidateRep3340.07
N/AMI07WALBERG, TIMCandidateRep110.003
MNMN02CRAIG, ANGIECandidateDem9910.9
MNMN03BONOFF, TERRICandidateDem720.09
MNMN03DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem5180.3
MNMN03PAULSEN, ERIKCandidateRep2100.3
MNMN08NOLAN, RICKCandidateDem6220.4
MNMN08HOUSE MAJORITY PACGroupDem9580.6
MNMN08DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem8180.4
MNMN08MILLS, STEWARTCandidateRep5730.4
MNMN08NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEPartyRep3460.3
MTMT01JUNEAU, DENISECandidateDem2,4770.3
MTMT01ZINKE, RYANCandidateRep1,6320.2
NENE02ASHFORD, BRADCandidateDem4270.1
NENE02CENTER FORWARDGroupDem1640.06
NENE02PAC OF CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONGroupDem820.06
NENE02DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem3990.1
NENE02BACON, DONCandidateRep1620.05
NENE02NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEPartyRep4730.1
NHNH01ASHOOH, RICHCandidateRep740.04
NHNH02KUSTER, ANNCandidateDem630.03
NJNJ05GARRETT, SCOTTCandidateRep140.06
NVNV03DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem3760.2
NVNV03NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE & TARKANIAN, DANNYCand. & PartyRep2610.1
NVNV04KIHUEN, RUBEN & DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEECand. & PartyDem490.03
NVNV04HARDY, CRESENTCandidateRep10.001
NVNV04HARDY, CRESENT & NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEECand. & PartyRep520.03
NVNV04NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEEPartyRep3740.2
NYNY01THRONE-HOLST, ANNACandidateDem540.1
NYNY19TEACHOUT, ZEPHYRCandidateDem970.03
NYNY21DERRICK, MIKECandidateDem5240.1
NYNY21STEFANIK, ELISECandidateRep1170.03
NYNY22MYERS, KIMCandidateDem1,1850.3
NYNY22HOUSE MAJORITY PACGroupDem1,0770.2
NYNY22BABINEC, MARTINCandidateOTHER8330.1
NYNY23PLUMB, JOHNCandidateDem1,5400.4
NYNY23REED, TOMCandidateRep3610.2
NYNY24DEACON, COLLEENCandidateDem8410.2
NYNY24KATKO, JOHNCandidateRep5970.3
NYNY25SLAUGHTER, LOUISECandidateDem2560.05
OHOH15STIVERS, STEVECandidateRep30.002
OKOK05GUILD, TOMCandidateDem120.001
OROR05AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL & NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONSGroupDem2860.2
PAPA08SANTARSIERO, STEVECandidateDem1890.2
TXTX23GALLEGO, PETECandidateDem2630.3
TXTX23DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEEPartyDem1850.1
TXTX23HURD, WILLCandidateRep4280.4
UTUT04OWENS, DOUGCandidateDem6130.2
UTUT04LOVE, MIACandidateRep4700.2
VAVA05DITTMAR, JANECandidateDem6560.09
VAVA10BENNETT, LUANNCandidateDem4640.9
WAWA05RODGERS, CATHYCandidateRep10.0003
WIWI08NELSON, TOMCandidateDem6060.2
WIWI08GALLAGHER, MIKECandidateRep3920.1
WIWI08LASEE, FRANKCandidateRep160.001
Download this table.
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016.
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.

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Table C: Gubernatorial Advertising by Race and Sponsor (since August 19)

RaceSponsorTypePartyAiringsEst. Cost
(in Ms)
INGREGG, JOHNCandidateDem2,8951.1
INHOLCOMB, ERICCandidateRep2,0350.7
INRGA RIGHT DIRECTION PACPartyRep4420.1
MOKOSTER, CHRISCandidateDem5,7992.3
MOGREITENS, ERICCandidateRep3,2491.5
MTBULLOCK, STEVECandidateDem3,0430.4
MTGOOD JOBS MONTANAGroupDem1,5430.3
MTGIANFORTE, GREGCandidateRep5,0330.6
MTRGA RIGHT DIRECTION PACPartyRep2990.03
NCCOOPER, ROYCandidateDem5,6953.0
NCNORTH CAROLINA CITIZENS FOR PROTECTING OUR SCHOOLSGroupDem8460.5
NCMCCRORY, PATCandidateRep3,3912.0
NCREPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATIONPartyRep1,4660.5
NHCONNOLLY, MARKCandidateDem1830.1
NHVAN OSTERN, COLINCandidateDem3130.2
NHEDELBLUT, FRANKCandidateRep1730.09
NHGATSAS, TEDCandidateRep6130.3
NHSUNUNU, CHRISCandidateRep2340.1
ORBROWN, KATECandidateDem440.02
ORPIERCE, BUDCandidateRep1730.08
UTWEINHOLTZ, MIKECandidateDem910.09
UTHERBERT, GARYCandidateRep10.001
VTMINTER, SUECandidateDem760.02
VTOUR VTGroupDem2200.1
VTSCOTT, PHILCandidateRep7610.2
VTA STRONGER VERMONTGroupRep3200.09
WVJUSTICE, JIMCandidateDem8900.2
WVGOOD JOBS WEST VIRGINIAGroupDem1,3280.5
WVCOLE, BILLCandidateRep1,2020.3
Download this table.
Figures are from August 19, 2016 to September 15, 2016.
CMAG classifies both RGA and RGA Right Direction PAC as parties, as both explicitly mention RGA (“Republican Governors Assn.”).
CITE SOURCE OF DATA AS: Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project.

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Download a PDF of this report here
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About This Report

Data reported here do not cover local cable buys, only broadcast television, national network and national cable buys. We include all ads that mention individuals running for office, and therefore sums may include issue advocacy advertising. All cost estimates are precisely that: estimates. Disclosure categorization information on outside groups comes from the Center for Responsive Politics.

The Wesleyan Media Project provides real-time tracking and analysis of all political television advertising in an effort to increase transparency in elections. Housed in Wesleyan’s Quantitative Analysis Center – part of the Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life – the Wesleyan Media Project is the successor to the Wisconsin Advertising Project, which disbanded in 2009. It is directed by Erika Franklin Fowler, associate professor of government at Wesleyan University, Michael M. Franz, associate professor of government at Bowdoin College and Travis N. Ridout, professor of political science at Washington State University. WMP staff include Laura Baum (Project Manager), Dolly Haddad (Project Coordinator) and Matthew Motta (Research Associate).


The Wesleyan Media Project
is supported by grants from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Wesleyan University. Data provided by Kantar Media/CMAG with analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project using Academiclip, a web-based coding tool. The Wesleyan Media Project is partnering this year with both the Center for Responsive Politics, to provide added information on outside group disclosure, and Ace Metrix, to assess ad effectiveness.

Periodic releases of data will be posted on the project’s website and dispersed via Twitter @wesmediaproject.
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For more information contact:
Heather Tolley-Bauer, htolleybauer@wesleyan.edu, (860) 398-9018

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About Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn., is known for the excellence of its academic and co-curricular programs. With more than 2,900 undergraduates and 200 graduate students, Wesleyan is dedicated to providing a liberal arts education characterized by boldness, rigor and practical idealism. For more, visit www.wesleyan.edu.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

About the Center for Responsive Politics
The Center for Responsive Politics is the nation’s premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the organization aims to create a more educated voter, an involved citizenry and a more transparent and responsive government. CRP’s award-winning website, OpenSecrets.org, is the most comprehensive resource available anywhere for federal campaign contribution and lobbying data and analysis.
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