US midterms 2026: Why campaign groups are moving money between House and Senate races

With just three weeks left before the midterm elections, campaign spending is shifting across the country. Republicans are pulling back from some competitive House races, while Democrats are looking for extra money to challenge more GOP-held seats. The changes show how both parties are adjusting their plans as they fight for control of Congress. Republicans are focusing more on defending seats, while Democrats see an opening in the political climate, as per a report by The AP.

Why are Republicans cutting spending in key House races?

The Congressional Leadership Fund, the main House Republican super PAC, has cancelled advertising in four races and increased spending in 16 others. A separate group linked to President Donald Trump has also reduced its investment in a competitive Nevada district.


Three Republican campaign officials familiar with the plans shared the changes on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.

Among the races losing support is Iowa’s 1st District, where Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is facing Democrat Christina Bohannan. Bohannan lost to Miller-Meeks by just 799 votes in their previous contest, making it the second-closest House race in the country.

The district has faced concerns over hospital service closures linked to congressional Medicaid cuts, as well as high diesel prices affecting farmers.

The Republican group is also pulling advertising from New Jersey’s 7th District, where Rep. Tom Kean is running against Democrat Rebecca Bennett. Kean has faced questions about his four-month absence from Congress, his support for Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war. Together with races near Cincinnati and in east-central Michigan, these contests accounted for $13.3 million in spending by the Congressional Leadership Fund through October 13. The group is redirecting resources toward districts where Trump narrowly lost to Kamala Harris in 2024.

Democrats see a chance to expand their House targets

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee believes at least a dozen more Republican held districts could be competitive. But reaching those voters will require more money.

The committee has launched a $17 million fundraising drive, with an October 22 deadline, to pay for late campaign advertising.

“It’s not that we need the money to win in the districts where we have been running to get to 218 seats,” said Courtney Rice, the committee’s communication director. “We’re talking about the next level.”

One target is Ohio’s 10th District, represented by Republican Rep. Mike Turner. Although Turner won by 18 percentage points two years ago, Democrats believe the Dayton-area seat could be within reach. Trump carried it by six points in 2024.

Turner began advertising only in late September, according to AdImpact. The National Republican Congressional Committee started spending there this week.

If Democrats meet their fundraising goal, they also plan to advertise in the Miami area, suburban St. Louis and the Little Rock area.

Senate spending shifts toward defensive races

The changing strategy extends beyond the House. Senate Republicans are putting more money into Nebraska to protect Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts against independent Dan Osborn, who has Democratic backing. Trump won the state by more than 20 points in 2024.

The Senate Leadership Fund announced a $15 million investment, while cryptocurrency-backed super PAC Fairshake launched a $7 million advertising campaign. Fairshake has also raised its spending in Ohio’s Senate race to $45 million in support of Republican Sen. Jon Husted against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Republican spending has also shifted toward Kansas and South Carolina, while the Senate Leadership Fund has pulled back from Georgia and North Carolina.

Democrats are moving money too. Their main Senate spending group has shifted advertising away from Georgia and toward Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Alaska and Ohio.

Republican strategist Stu Sandler said Republicans still have substantial resources, but voters who usually turn out for presidential elections may be harder to reach in a midterm. Club for Growth president David McIntosh pointed to economic concerns and frustration among Republican voters.

The final weeks of the 2026 midterm campaign will test whether Republican spending can protect vulnerable seats or whether Democrats can turn the changing political climate into more victories.