According to data from the Wesleyan Media Project, ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, campaigns and groups spent over $137 million on ads made at least partly with AI tools, far above the less than $50,000 spent in the 2024 cycle. A total of 220 AI ads across 34 states were identified; only 27% carried AI disclosures, and Republicans accounted for 81% of ads and 88% of spending.