Michigan No. 4 With $767M In Advertising Spending

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 11/12/2026) Michigan drew $767 million in political advertising during the 2026 midterm election cycle, the fourth-highest total among states, according to AdImpact data.

Nearly $390 million — about half the state’s total — went toward the U.S. Senate contest, including approximately $101.9 million during the primary period.

Nationally, political advertising totaled $11.87 billion. In Michigan, Democratic advertising accounted for $382 million, Republican advertising totaled $362 million and independent spending accounted for $23.3 million.

The figures cover connected television, streaming services, broadcast, cable, digital, radio and satellite radio.

During the Aug. 5-Nov. 3 general election period, Michigan’s Senate race attracted nearly $289 million in advertising. Republicans spent more than $155 million, outspending the more than $133 million spent by Democrats supporting Abdul El-Sayed.

Among U.S. House contests, the 7th Congressional District drew the most advertising, at nearly $50.5 million. Republican spending supporting U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) totaled nearly $29.5 million, compared with more than $21 million in Democratic spending supporting Will Lawrence.

The 10th District followed with approximately $48 million: about $25 million supporting Democrat Christina Hines and $23 million supporting Republican Mike Bouchard Jr.

In the 4th District, advertising totaled nearly $32 million. Republican spending supporting U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) reached nearly $16.5 million, compared with $15.5 million supporting Democratic state Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo).

Three other congressional districts each attracted more than $1 million in general election advertising.

The 8th District drew more than $6 million, including more than $3.4 million supporting Republican Thomas Smith and more than $2.6 million supporting U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City).

In the 1st District, Democrats spent more than $1.4 million supporting Callie Barr, while Republicans spent more than $1.1 million supporting U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet).

Advertising in the 3rd District totaled more than $1.25 million. Nearly $650,000 supported U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids), while nearly $605,000 supported Republican Terri DeBoer.

During the primary period, the 13th District attracted $6.5 million in advertising as U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit) faced state Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit).

Another $750,000 was spent in the 12th District, mostly supporting U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit).

In the general election for governor, Democrats spent more than $34 million supporting Jocelyn Benson, while Republicans spent nearly $31 million supporting U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township).

The secretary of state contest featured a particularly wide spending disparity. Democrats spent more than $2.7 million supporting Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, compared with nearly $109,000 in Republican spending supporting Anthony Forlini.

Republicans held the spending advantage in the attorney general race, putting nearly $3.3 million behind Doug Lloyd, compared with nearly $2 million in Democratic spending supporting Eli Savit.