Republican coordinated campaign spending surges after US Supreme Court ruling
SPY•Republican committees exceeded the former coordinated-spending caps by more than $48 million in July and August, while Democratic committees exceeded them by just under $4 million. The ruling allows party committees to coordinate spending with candidates without the former caps.
1. Spending exceeds former caps
Republican committees spent nearly $56 million in coordinated spending on Senate and House races in July and August, more than quadruple their spending during the same months of the 2022 midterm elections. Democratic committees spent around $6 million over the period.
2. Republican cash advantage
The National Republican Senatorial Committee exceeded former caps by a combined $42 million in nine Senate races. It spent about $11 million to support Ohio Senator Jon Husted and about $8 million for North Carolina candidate Michael Whatley. Three national Republican committees ended August with about $233 million in cash; their Democratic counterparts had roughly $130 million and nearly $18 million in debt.
3. Ruling and ad rates
The Supreme Court struck down federal limits on coordinated party spending in a 6-3 ruling on June 30. The article says further spending increases are expected this month, when party committees became eligible for discounted broadcast advertising rates under a policy the court revived on September 4 while a legal challenge continues.
