American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic opposition-research group that has expanded into its own advertising operations, launched the $50 million campaign Tuesday across a mix of House and Senate races, many in Republican-held territory.
“We really have to maximize our wins and gains this year, particularly in Republican territory,” Bradley Beychok, the group’s co-founder, told the Associated Press. “We are going all in.”
The spending adds new financial weight to Democrats’ push to reclaim majorities in both chambers. The party has faced persistent fundraising disadvantages. In February, Republicans had outraised Democrats by nearly $100 million ahead of the midterms, according to federal filings.
Democrats have also been on the defensive in redistricting. After the 2020 census, Republican-controlled state legislatures drew maps that consolidated GOP advantages in several battleground states, including North Carolina and Ohio. The Supreme Court has declined to hear redistricting challenges in multiple states, leaving the maps in place for the current cycle.
American Bridge has been scaling up its own direct advertising in recent cycles. During the 2024 presidential campaign, the group announced a $140 million effort aimed at peeling away rural voters from Trump. The current $50 million midterm push is its largest ever for a non-presidential election cycle.
The ads are running in targeted media markets and will emphasize economic messages, including on child care costs and prescription drug prices, according to a person familiar with the campaign who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss strategy. The group declined to provide a full list of races.
The campaign began Tuesday and is scheduled to run through the fall election.