New Delhi, Oct. 25 -- Spending on political advertising for the 2026 US midterm elections has crossed $10 billion, setting a new record for a midterm election cycle.

The total is expected to reach $11.6 billion by Election Day, according to media tracking firm AdImpact, as reported by TIME magazine.

The projected spending is higher than the $8.9 billion spent during the 2022 midterms but short of the $11.2 billion recorded during the 2024 presidential election cycle.

The surge comes as Republicans and Democrats compete for control of Congress, with wealthy donors and political groups spending heavily to influence key races, TIME reported on October 19.

Republicans have spent more than Democrats on television advertising in several clo...