Campaigns, committees and causes have spent at least $2.1 million on ads during the World Cup through all matches as of Friday, an AdImpact analysis for POLITICO shows.
Stronger America, an issue advocacy 501(c)(4) aligned with Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, has spent $287,500 through matches so far, and Pine Tree Results PAC, also aligned with Collins, has spent $123,000.
Collins’ campaign itself spent $25,000 on ads, while Graham Platner’s campaign spent $3,500; the spending has made the Maine Senate race between Collins and Democrat oysterman Graham Platner ubiquitous in Maine media markets.
Senate Republicans’ campaign arm said the race is "the linchpin" in "this year’s fight for control of the Senate."
One recent poll revealed a narrow lead for Platner, and another showed a slight edge for Collins.
Other groups buying airtime include One Nation, which spent $122,150 through the round of 32, United Democracy Project, which spent $117,200, and House Majority Forward, which spent $76,155; AdImpact cautioned totals could change as spending still trickles in.