Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz are set to embark on a bus tour of Georgia today, putting a spotlight on one of the top presidential battlegrounds this election.
In the wake of President Joe Biden’s narrow 2020 victory there, both parties are fiercely contesting the state. Georgia ranks third in total presidential ad buys, at $174.5 million, including spending by campaigns and outside groups from both parties since the start of 2023, and including their future bookings through Election Day. That trails only Pennsylvania, a behemoth at $356.8 million in total presidential ad buys, and Michigan, at $196.9 million, according to AdImpact data.
And Atlanta ranks second among media markets with the most presidential ad buys, at $118.7 million total, behind only Philadelphia, at $152.7 million.
Where things stand: Excluding future reservations — counting only what has already aired, from the start of 2023 through today — Georgia has seen $102.7 million in presidential ad spending so far, and Democrats have outspent Republicans there by about $57.1 million to $44.7 million.
In the period since Biden dropped out and upended the race on July 21, through today, Georgia has seen a flood of ad spending, $59.6 million total, also ranking third overall, also behind Pennsylvania ($112.9 million) and Michigan ($78 million). Republicans have outspent Democrats in Georgia by about $34.3 million to $23.7 million during that stretch, since Biden withdrew through today.
But going forward, in the post-Labor Day sprint to Election Day, Democrats are poised to outspend Republicans in Georgia by about $37.9 million to $26.4 million, according to future bookings currently recorded by AdImpact.
With a total of $64.4 million in future bookings, Georgia ranks second among states projected to see the most presidential ad spending through Election Day, behind only Pennsylvania, with $133.7 million in total future bookings remaining.