The Federal Communications Commission requires that some stations in the top 50 TV markets report details of all their political ad sales online. In Texas, ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC stations in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin are required to post their political ad sales.
The records provide a revealing, albeit incomplete, glimpse into how campaigns in competitive statewide races are spending their resources. The data does not include political ads purchased to air on cable networks or on network television stations in Texas' smaller markets. It also does not include spending to air political ads on smaller networks in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio or Austin.
Between Jan. 1 and March 3, 12 statewide candidates collectively spent more than $16 million on network ad buys in the state's four biggest media markets.
Texans for a Conservative Majority, a PAC that supports U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election bid, also spent more than $250,000 to purchase ads in Houston that criticized U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Friendswood, who challenged Cornyn.
State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, a candidate for attorney general, spent more than any other statewide candidate on network airtime in the state's four biggest markets, with more than $2.74 million in ad buys, according to FCC records.
After Branch, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who came in second in his primary race and will face state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, in a runoff, spent the most among statewide candidates on network ad buys with $2.56 million for his re-election campaign.
Comments (7)
Chris Payne via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Is there a bigger tool in Texas politics than Dan Patrick?
Sam Davis via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Patrick uses his crappy radio station to advertise himself all year long. The more you know about him, the more you realize what a hypocritical doofus he is. It's hard to believe the GOP can't field one qualified candidate for LG.
Clark Humphrey
To answer your question Chris. No!!
Joan P Camenson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We the voters will have the last say.
Tex Son via Texas Tribune on Facebook
GOP Lt Gov is where the real crackpots are. Patrick is definitely a tool and he is trying hard to buy his seat. Not much of any difference in any of these people. It's like they are stepping all over themselves to show everyone how far right they can go. They are not the types we need running Texas any longer. Too many conservatives with the same ideas. Fight the fed, fight the epa and fight anything that has to do with Obama. Where are all the constructive ideas from these people?
Fred H. Speno via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Two of a kind. They're both running against Obama. Look at their ads! Total partisan B.S. I can' t trust either of these guys.
Carlos "Scooter" Griffin - Tax Payer-Gregg County
TODD STAPLES has my Agrarian Family's vote for Lt. Gov.
He hasn't had to change the name his Texas parent's gave him. What name did Dan Patrick's parents give him?