The Suburban Cash Disparity
House Democrats are spending more than $900,000 in Chicago broadcast TV ads in the final two weeks of the campaign for Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield).
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The financial advantages of House Democrats over their Republican opponents has been well documented, but in the final two weeks of the campaign, the difference is even more staggering.
On Chicago broadcast television, Democrats have purchased ads for four candidates: Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield), the only incumbent on the list, as well as three challengers, Jackie Williamson, who faces Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton), and Maria Peterson, who faces Rep. Marty McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills). Democrats are also buying ads for Elmhurst City Council member Marti Deuter, who faces former Rep. Dennis Reboletti in the Elmhurst-based open 45th House District.
In all, Democrats are spending around $2.8 million on Chicago broadcast the final two weeks, with ads appearing around 4,000 times.
Republicans are spending a total of $0 on broadcast TV.
Williamson got a week of broadcast TV while Benton, Deuter, and Peterson got two weeks.
Benton’s ads, spread across Chicago TV stations WBBM, WFLD, WGN, WLS, and WMAQ total around $925,000 and are scheduled to receive around 1,200 runs. Peterson is receiving around $830,000, Deuter’s spending is around $613,000, and Williamson’s spending is around $467,000.
“It’s a massacre,” said one frustrated GOP strategist. “We had a shot to save Grant and McLaughlin and maybe pick up 45 or beat Benton and it’s hard to see that path now.”
Cable TV buys from Comcast were not immediately provided to The Illinoize, but the belief is Democrats continue to vastly outspend Republicans on cable television, as well.
Democrats are also unopposed on St. Louis broadcast TV, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for former Rep. LaToya Greenwood, who is trying to win her seat back over Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt). Greenwood has been on St. Louis broadcast since October 9, while Schmidt is not buying broadcast TV.