$16.5 million in outside spending could tip key races in a record-breaking election cycle, the outlet has warned
More than 40 third-party candidates in Tuesday’s US midterm elections are receiving financial support from outside groups, many of them linked to the two major parties, Axios has reported, citing its analysis of campaign finance records.
The multi million-dollar spending pales in comparison with the billions backing Democratic and Republican candidates in this election cycle. However, the outlet warned that relatively modest investments could have an outsized impact on closely contested races, where third-party candidates could act as spoilers by drawing votes away from the main contenders.
The 2026 congressional elections are projected to have generated nearly $12 billion in political spending, roughly a third more than in the 2022 cycle and an all-time record, according to campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets.
Outside funding identified by Axios exceeds $16.5 million, with the largest amounts directed toward Senate races in Ohio and Alaska.
According to Federal Election Commission disclosures, Libertarian Bill Redpath and socialist-leaning independent Greg Levy – who are both competing for the Ohio Senate seat vacated last year by JD Vance when he became vice president – have benefited from $3.8 million and $2.6 million in spending, respectively, by two separate political action committees (PACs).
Another $3.8 million has gone toward supporting Gerald Heikes, a self-described Republican running in Alaska’s ranked-choice Senate election against incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola.
The US political system heavily favors candidates from the two major parties in national elections, not least because of the extensive fundraising networks supporting their nominees.
Independent Senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King are notable exceptions, although both caucus with Democrats. Another example was Joe Lieberman, who won reelection in Connecticut in 2006 on a third-party ticket after losing the Democratic nomination to Ned Lamont.
The ongoing midterm elections have highlighted not only the growing influence of money in American politics but also the apparent resurgence of questionable electoral tactics.
The Senate race in Alaska features a second candidate named Dan Sullivan, a namesake of the Republican incumbent. The GOP has criticized his candidacy as an alleged attempt to confuse voters and undermine the senator’s reelection prospects.
RT has published a detailed guide on what to watch as Americans head to polling stations.
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