News & Brews October 28, 2026
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Midterms are most expensive election cycle ever
According to AdImpact, which tracks political ad spending, this midterm election cycle is now the most expensive election cycle ever, surpassing even the 2024 presidential contest. NBC reports that AdImpact “has tallied over $11.21 billion in total political ad spending and reservations in the 2025-26 election cycle,” slightly more than the $11.2 billion tracked in the 2023-2024 cycle. This is ads only and doesn’t include mail, text, door-to-door, or myriad other campaign expenses. By comparison, “The 2021-22 midterm election cycle generated $8.97 billion in ad spending across the country, according to AdImpact data, while the 2020 presidential election cycle had a total spend of $9.02 billion.” We see this increase in spending reflected in Pennsylvania races. Whereas a decade or so ago, competitive state House and Senate races might have cost a few hundred thousand dollars, now they routinely hit several million dollars.
Behind the Cook Political Report
You’ve probably seen it in the news (or in this newsletter): A Cook Political Report rating of a race as Solid D, Likely D, Lean D, Toss Up, Lean R, Likely R, or Solid R. But what in the world is the Cook Political Report and who’s behind it? The Washington Post goes behind the scenes of this report that’s “been serving up insights to anxious political obsessives and information-starved politicos” for 42 years.
Pa. Dems gain voters ahead of midterms
The progressive Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Nick Field analyzes the turning tide of Pennsylvania’s voter registration trends, writing, “For the most part, Pennsylvania Republicans have consistently gained ground on their Democratic counterparts in the Trump Era. To illustrate, a month before Trump descended the escalator to run for president, Democrats held a registration advantage in the state of 999,427. By the end of 2024, in the wake of Trump’s second Presidential victory, that lead had dwindled to only 170,975. In October 2025, however, the tide began to turn…. By last May, thanks to gains in the southeast and south central portions of the commonwealth, Dems were able to improve their margin to 188,381.” Now, Democrats have expanded their margin even more, to 247,724.
1-800-Dream-On?
Sometimes, you’ve just gotta laugh. Apparently the folks behind a mailer attacking Democrat Nancy Mannion, who is challenging GOP U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, failed to check whether their clever “it-was-supposed-to-be fake” phone number on the mailer was actually fake. Turns out 1-800-Dream-On “takes you to what appears to be a sex-phone line,” PennLive reports. A spokesperson for Smucker’s campaign said, “The ‘paid for by’ disclaimer is clearly identified on the mailing, and I can confirm that it was neither authorized nor paid for by Smucker for Congress.” Here’s a campaign mailer tip: Always check the fake phone number before sending the mailer.
Philly to employers: Women need special treatment
Philly is apparently implementing new “menopause protection” mandates for employers. The Inquirer reports, “The new provision requires employers to provide reasonable workplace accommodations when the symptoms of menstruation, perimenopause, or menopause ‘substantially interfere’ with an employee’s ability to perform one or more job functions…. These might include flexible rest breaks, temperature adjustments, use of fans, relaxed dress code requirements, or remote or hybrid work arrangements.” The mandate doesn’t actually define “substantially interferes,” so what could go wrong?
The Inky notes, “There’s always a risk that some employees will take advantage of the law to request additional time off.” (You don’t say.) So basically, the new law says being a woman might interfere with your ability to work, and employers have to be OK with that.
