Outside groups dumped nearly $2 billion into the midterms. Ads that lowered a price: zero.
By Neil KesslerOctober 9, 2026Weekend Edition, Issue No. 1
“People already know. A gas pump tells you for free.”
Nearly $2 billion spent by outside groups on this year’s midterm elections.
The biggest pile went to the Texas Senate race. If you live in Texas, you already know. Your TV hasn’t shown a normal ad since August.
Every ad says the same thing: things cost too much, and it’s the other guy’s fault. Both parties. Every channel. Every 30 seconds.
People already know things cost too much. A big survey this month said Americans feel worse about money than they have in a long time. Even Doritos are going up. So the parties spent $2 billion telling you something a gas pump tells you for free.
Ads that lowered a price: zero. Ads that made anyone at this desk cry: four, and that was Neil’s fault for leaving the volume on.
Take the $2 billion. Buy everybody one tank of gas and a bag of chips. Then run one ad that says “You’re welcome.”
If you want the made-up hedge on Maple Court, that’s Margo’s page. Neil does the ads. Margo does the ledger.