Federal election spending hits $60 billion over the last decade

Political spending in the United States has more than doubled since 2016.

In the ten years leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, a total of $60 billion was spent on federal campaigns. Brendan Glavin of OpenSecrets noted that spending $100,000 every day would take over 1,600 years to reach that figure. In 2016, presidential election spending was $2.4 billion. By 2024, that number crossed the $5 billion mark.

Two industries have driven the recent increase in campaign funding: cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. These sectors have collectively poured $160 million into this year's midterm elections. Dan Schnur, a political analyst at the University of Southern California, identified advertising as the largest expense. He explained that campaigns spend millions to capture voter attention because few people enjoy watching TV or digital ads.

The surge in independent spending follows the 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United. The ruling protected corporate political spending under the First Amendment. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, said he supports overturning that decision. Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, defended the ruling as a core First Amendment right. Schnur compared the practice to one person using a sound truck to drown out a speaker in a town square.

Donor transparency remains a challenge for voters. Super PACs must report their donors, but nonprofits are not required to disclose identities. Glavin called this a dead end for tracking money. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, said dark money is confusing because people do not know which interests are being represented. OpenSecrets traced a specific Facebook ad that appeared to support Kamala Harris but actually delivered an anti-Harris message. The ad linked to a site called Progress 2028, which was registered by a nonprofit supporting President Donald Trump. The organization determined the money flowed from Elon Musk.

The Federal Election Commission oversees these groups, but it currently has only two of six seats filled. President Trump fired Democratic chair Ellen Weintraub last year, and two other commissioners resigned. The Senate has yet to confirm two replacements nominated in February 2026. Christian Grose, a political science professor at USC, noted that politicians are more likely to meet with donors. He pointed to Elon Musk, who became a top adviser to President Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency.

Schnur compared campaign financing to a poker game. You need enough money to join, but it does not guarantee a win. Glavin and others maintain that while money ensures a voice is heard, it does not guarantee that people will listen. The next step is Election Day, where voters will cast their ballots in the 2026 midterms.