$198 million spent on ads in 5 weeks

Candidates, political parties and special interest groups have spent nearly $200 million in advertising on House and Senate races during the past five weeks, a 75 percent increase from the same period in 2008, according to a study by the Wesleyan Media Project.

More than $114 million was spent on Senate ads between Sept. 1 and Oct. 7, an 84 percent surge from the same period in 2008. And nearly $84 million paid for House ads, a 65 percent rise. Total spending since Jan. 1 was $367 million, up $148 million or 68 percent from 2008. Comparisons are not exact, however, because there were fewer Senate seats up for grabs two years ago - and the states were not the same. Spending by candidates is largely driving the increase in activity. But higher spending among special interests and political parties in House races suggests both Democrats and Republicans "believe the House is the true battleground," Michael Franz, associate professor of government at Bowdoin College and co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project said.