Numerous Alabama-based and out-of-state PACs have directed millions of dollars to the Yellowhammer State in an effort to influence Alabama’s 2022 race for the U.S. Senate.
PAC spending and campaign committee expenditures have placed the total dollar amount for advertising spending at more than $14 million, according to Medium Buying.
The nationwide media purchasing and competitive tracking firm on Tuesday released updated dollar amounts of PAC and campaign committee advertising spending. The dollar figure includes money already spent as well as ad reservations that have been placed leading up to the May 24 primary election.
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) has fielded a majority of the race’s negative ad attacks. As previously reported by Yellowhammer News, Alabama’s Future super PAC has taken aim at Brooks with a series of radio and television spots. Thus far, Alabama’s Future has spent $3.61 million opposing Brooks’ candidacy.
Club for Growth Action PAC, which has endorsed Brooks, has spent $2.96 million supporting the congressman’s candidacy by launching attack ads against his primary opponent, Katie Britt. While enjoying PAC support, Brooks has only expended $41,000 from his own campaign committee, according to Medium Buying.
Two PACs, Alabama Conservatives Fund (ACF) and Alabama Christian Conservatives, have combined to spend $1.59 million in support of Britt. The first-time candidate has spent $956,000 of her own campaign funds on advertising. Last month, ACF announced an aggressive media campaign for Britt’s benefit.
Ad spending in support of U.S. Army veteran Mike Durant has far and away exceeded that of his opponents, with the amount totaling over $4.85 million.
Durant’s personal financial disclosure released in February indicated that he held the ability to finance his campaign should he choose to do so. The candidate did so last quarter as he loaned his campaign $4.15 million. According to Medium Buying, Durant’s campaign has expended $2.71 million on advertising. Durant’s campaign also enjoys support from the well-documented Alabama Patriots PAC, which has spent $2.14 million on his behalf.
This quarter’s Federal Election Commission (FEC) campaign finance reports are set to be released next month. A rundown of last quarter’s fundraising and expenditure records can be seen here.
Polling made available on Monday by the Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) suggests that the pro-Durant spending has been successful as he now sits atop the three-candidate field.
According to the McLaughlin & Associates poll, Durant holds 33.8% support from the GOP electorate, followed by Britt at 32.0% and Brooks at 17.6%, with 16.6% of respondents being undecided.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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