(The Center Square) – Political spending in West Virginia on the upcoming election is now expected to be significantly lower at $133 million, a drop of nearly $73 million from AdImpact’s previous projections.
The Political Projections Report altered the projected spending in both West Virginia and Arizona based on Senate races in each state.
“Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema’s decisions not to seek reelection in West Virginia and Arizona were the predominant factors in lowering each state’s overall spending,” the report said. “West Virginia’s Cook Political Rating shifted from ‘Toss Up’ to ‘Solid Republican,’ eroding the potential for large sums to be spent on the race.”
Manchin’s announcement led to a projection change from $125 million to $21 million on the Senate race alone.
The consensus battleground states are now Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.
AdImpact projects that there will be a record $10.69 billion spent in the election cycle, with $3.1 billion already spent through the end of June, already $529 million ahead of 2020 and $71 million behind 2022.
“Historically, nearly 70% of political spending occurs between July 1st and Election Day,” the report said.
The report projects that nearly $2.2 billion will be spent on the presidential election during the cycle.
