Senate races heat up as record ad spending tops $2.5 billion

Billions of dollars are being spent on political ads as the U.S. Senate races heat up. Key battlegrounds include Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Montana, where over $1 billion is expected to be spent by November 5. Ohio's race may set a new spending record. Democrats are defending eight seats in challenging states, while Republicans aim to gain two seats for a majority. Notably, Texas and Nebraska are emerging as competitive races, with Democrats hoping to unseat incumbents in these traditionally Republican areas. Overall, more than $2.5 billion is projected for Senate race advertising this cycle, slightly surpassing 2022 totals. Key races in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania will also test party strength in these critical states.