$1 Billion Spent On Political Ads in 2009

Evan Tracey of TNS Media Intelligence estimates that $1 billion was spent on political ads this year, with the vast majority of that coming from issue advocacy groups. The health care debate fueled much of the spending this year. But, ironically, the stepped up pace of political advertising may not continue through to next year's midterm election. Tracey said economic factors could keep candidates next year from passing 2006's midterm election record of $3.4 billion in ad spending.