--- description: Super PACs and politically active nonprofits have sponsored nearly nine in every 10 TV ads aired in the Republican presidential primary. title: Super PACs Dominate 2016 Republican TV Ads So Far image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaeb6b564719fdbf7/698863e6e20a87cccba8d428/super-pac-ads.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Politics](/section/politics/) ## Politics Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Campaign Finance](/tag/campaign-finance/) ## Campaign Finance Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Super PACs Dominate 2016 Republican TV Ads So Far by [Center for Public Integrity / Michael Beckel](/author/center-for-public-integrity/) ## Center for Public Integrity / Michael Beckel Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 16, 2015 6:19 PM CUT  Republican Presidential Nominee Governor Rick Perry (TX) speaks to the crowd during the Eagle Forum's Eagle Council Event at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri on September 11, 2015. Republican Presidential Nominee Governor Rick Perry (TX) speaks to the crowd during the Eagle Forum's Eagle Council Event at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri on September 11, 2015.Michael B. Thomas—Getty Images by [Center for Public Integrity / Michael Beckel](/author/center-for-public-integrity/) ## Center for Public Integrity / Michael Beckel Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 16, 2015 6:19 PM CUT Republican presidential candidates may tonight battle each other on [CNN’s debate stage,](http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/10/politics/cnn-reagan-debate-lineup/ "undefined") but their supportive super PACs have been the dominant forces in the campaign’s television ad war this year. That super PACs are sponsoring most early ads during the turbulent GOP primary represents a dramatic change from the 2012 election, when candidates’ own committees initially drove TV messaging. Non-candidate groups, including super PACs and politically active nonprofits, have sponsored nearly nine in every 10 TV ads aired to date during the 2016 GOP presidential primary, according to a [Center for Public Integrity](http://www.publicintegrity.org/ "undefined") analysis of data provided by advertising tracking firm [Kantar Media/CMAG](http://kantarmedia.us/product/cmag-advertising-data-reports-ad-alerts "undefined"). Such groups face no limits on how much money they may raise or spend. Candidates, super PACs and other special interest groups have combined to air about 11,000 ads in the GOP presidential race through Monday, Kantar Media/CMAG data indicates. About 90 percent of these TV spots have targeted voters in either Iowa or New Hampshire — the states conducting the first two presidential nominating contests in February. In the Democratic presidential primary, about 4,000 TV ads have already aired. But in that race, the sponsor trend is reversed: Democratic Party frontrunner [Hillary Clinton’s](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/04/12/17107/12-things-know-about-hillary-clinton "undefined") campaign accounts for about 90 percent of the TV ads, and a group supporting former Maryland Gov. [Martin O’Malley](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/05/29/17303/9-things-know-about-martin-omalley "undefined") is the only super PAC so far involved in the race. Sen. [Bernie Sanders](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/04/30/17261/12-things-know-about-bernie-sanders "undefined") of Vermont has not yet aired a TV ad, although it hasn’t hurt him any, as he [continues to rise](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016%5Fdemocratic%5Fpresidential%5Fnomination-3824.html "undefined") in recent polls — even [surpassing](http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/15/politics/bernie-sanders-hillary-clinton-new-hampshire-poll/index.html "undefined") Clinton in some. **Read More:** [_Hillary Clinton’s Bulldog Blazes New Campaign Finance Trails_](http://time.com/4028459/david-brock-hillary-clinton-media-matters/ "undefined") On the Republican side, the most prolific ad buyer has been the Opportunity and Freedom PAC, a super PAC that attempted to boost the fortunes of former Texas Gov. [Rick Perry](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/04/17440/12-things-know-about-rick-perry "undefined"). It didn’t work: The pro-Perry super PAC aired more than 3,400 ads — nearly one-third of all TV ads in the GOP race to date — but Perry [suspended](http://www.wsj.com/articles/ex-texas-gov-rick-perry-to-suspend-presidential-campaign-1442007731 "undefined") his [floundering campaign](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/10/rick-perry-stops-paying-his-south-carolina-staff-as-fundraising-dries-up/ "undefined") on Friday. The next most active ad sponsor among Republicans has been the super PAC New Day for America, which supports Ohio Gov. [John Kasich](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/04/22/17209/9-things-know-about-john-kasich "undefined"). The group has mostly focused on New Hampshire, where it has aired more than 1,200 TV ads — representing about one of every nine ads overall in the GOP race. And a super PAC backing Louisiana Gov. [Bobby Jindal](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/24/17506/9-things-know-about-bobby-jindal "undefined"), called Believe Again, ranks third, having aired about 1,100 TV ads in Iowa — or about one of every 10 ads in the entire GOP presidential primary to date. Jindal continues to poll in low single digits and [didn’t qualify](http://theadvocate.com/news/13456569-148/what-you-can-expect-from "undefined") for tonight’s main stage debate, while Kasich’s standing in the polls [has risen](http://video.foxnews.com/v/4482315512001/john-kasich-on-rising-in-the-polls-in-new-hampshire/?#sp=show-clips "undefined") after a [solid performance](http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/kasich-the-surprising-standout-the-gop-debate "undefined") last month during the first GOP presidential debate. ### See the 2016 Candidates' Campaign Launches  Sen. Ted Cruz kicked off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23. Tom Williams—CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images  Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul launched his bid for the Republican nomination at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on April 7\. Supporters held signs with the slogan "Defeat the Washington Machine / Unleash the American Dream." Amy Harris—Corbis  Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her campaign in a YouTube video posted April 12 that has been seen nearly 4.5 million times. One boy featured in the video boasted about playing a fish in a school play. Hillary For America  Florida Sen. Marco Rubio announced his campaign for the Republican nomination during a rally at the Freedom Tower in Miami on April 13\. He took a drink of water during the speech, a callback to his State of the Union response in 2013. Wilfredo Lee—AP  Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his bid for the Democratic nomination across the street from the U.S. Capitol on April 30, 2015\. The backdrop was unusual, since most candidates rail against Washington. Jonathan Ernst—Reuters  Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced his bid for the Republican nomination at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts May 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The launch featured a gospel choir covering Eminem's "Lose Yourself." Bill Pugliano—Getty Images  Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced her campaign for the Republican nomination in a conference call on May 4, then went on "Good Morning America" to talk to George Stephanopoulos. Lou Rocco—Getty Images  Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced his campaign at a community college in his hometown of Hope, Ark., on May 5\. Singer Tony Orlando (right) performed. Left: Danny Johnston; Right: Matt Sullivan—Getty Images  Republican presidential candidate and former New York Governor George Pataki (C) greets supporters after formally announcing his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Exeter, N.H. on May 28, 2015. Dominick Reuter—Reuters  Former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee announces his candidacy for the democratic presidential nomination at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. on June 3, 2015. Win McNamee—Getty Images  Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announces his 2016 presidential candidacy in Central, S.C. on June 1, 2015. Erik S. Lesser—EPA  Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is joined by his wife Katie O'Malley (R) as he announces his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore on May 30, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters  Former Texas governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for Republican presidential nominee at an event held at Addison Airport in Addison, Texas on Thursday, June 4, 2015. Louis DeLuca—Dallas Morning News/Corbis  Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush waves on stage as he announces his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination during an event at Miami-Dade College - Kendall Campus in Miami on June 15 , 2015. Joe Raedle—Getty Images  Donald Trump holds up his financial statement showing his net worth as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during an event at Trump Tower in New York City on June 16, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters  Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner, La. on June 24, 2015. Jonathan Bachman—Reuters  Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally at Livingston High School in Livingston, N.J. on June 30, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters  Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker greets supporters after announcing that he will seek the Republican nomination for president in Waukesha, Wis. on July 13, 2015 . Scott Olson—Getty Images  Ohio Governor John Kasich arrives on stage to formally announce his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally in Columbus, Ohio on July 21, 2015. Aaron P. Bernstein—Reuters Connie Wehrkamp, a spokeswoman for pro-Kasich New Day for America said the super PAC’s ads “are helping to introduce voters to John Kasich.” Brad Todd, a spokesman for pro-Jindal Believe Again, stressed that TV ads were only one tool the group — which is also hosting [town hall meetings featuring Jindal](http://contentz.mkt7273.com/mson/2015/09/15/dvNScpfA1TFH/index.html "undefined") — was using to connect with voters. “You have to communicate on a variety of platforms to have a meaningful dialogue with voters,” Todd said. “Our goal is to talk with Iowans and not at Iowans.” He continued: “We are focused on Iowa because it is first on the calendar. If you want to win in South Carolina and do well in the Southern primaries on March 1st, the first step to that success is to do well in Iowa.” **Read More:** [_Few New Mega-Donors Join 2016 Fundraising_](http://time.com/3981080/super-pacs-fundraising-donors/ "undefined") Meanwhile, most GOP candidates themselves are not yet on the air, including Republican Party frontrunner [Donald Trump](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/16/17488/9-things-know-about-donald-trump "undefined"). “I’m on TV so much, it’d be stupid to advertise,” Trump recently [told _Rolling Stone_](http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/trump-seriously-20150909?page=11 "undefined"). “Besides, the shows are more effective than ads.” According to Kantar Media/CMAG, only the campaigns of former Florida Gov. [Jeb Bush](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/15/17142/12-things-know-about-jeb-bush "undefined"), retired neurosurgeon [Ben Carson](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/05/04/17280/9-things-know-about-ben-carson "undefined"), New Jersey Gov. [Chris Christie](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/30/17582/9-things-know-about-chris-christie "undefined") and Sen. [Ted Cruz](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/03/23/16947/ted-cruzs-presidential-cash-hunt-commences "undefined") of Texas have already aired TV ads. The campaign of Sen. [Rand Paul](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/04/07/17068/12-things-know-about-rand-paul "undefined") of Kentucky [will air](http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/rand-paul-2016-tv-ad-iowa-new-hampshire-213442 "undefined") its first TV spots during tonight’s debates, while other GOP contenders — including Sen. [Marco Rubio](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/04/13/17058/12-things-know-about-marco-rubio "undefined") of Florida — have [reserved](http://nhpr.org/post/what-we-know-about-marco-rubio-s-new-hampshire-ad-buy "undefined") air time on TV later this year or already invested heavily in online ads. Alice Stewart, a spokeswoman for Mike Huckabee, confirmed that the former Arkansas governor hasn’t yet made TV ad buys, but she declined to “reveal details of our ad strategy.” Officials for other campaigns either declined to comment or did not respond to questions. Super PAC-sponsored ads will increase dramatically in the days ahead. Pro-Bush super PAC Right to Rise USA, for one, will[reportedly spend $24 million](http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/15/politics/jeb-bush-right-to-rise-ad-buy-24-million/index.html "undefined") on a massive ad campaign that began Tuesday. Unlike candidates who may collect no more than $2,700 per person, super PACs and nonprofits have no limit on how much money they receive from people, corporations or labor unions. These groups, in turn, can use whatever funds they raise to independently support their preferred candidates. **Read More:** [_Why Some Donors Gave to Multiple Republican Candidates_](http://time.com/3973138/republican-donors-multiple-candidates/ "undefined") Super PACs must regularly disclose their donors to the Federal Election Commission, while politically active nonprofits are generally allowed to keep their donors’ identities secret. Louisiana State University political science professor Johanna Dunaway said she was not surprised by this early super PAC spending spree while candidates have largely kept their powder dry. “The PAC spending up front allows the candidates to hold on to their campaign-generated money until later in the contests when the stakes are higher,” she said. Added Iowa State University political science professor David Andersen: “It makes sense given the current legal system surrounding campaign finance. It is much easier for super PACs to raise money.” Indeed, super PACs have been lapping candidates in the fundraising race. Groups backing the 2016 White House contenders had raised [more than $266 million](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/08/01/17748/super-pac-doppelgangers-eclipse-candidates-campaign-money-chase "undefined") through the end of June, the period covered by the most recent campaign finance reports. That was more than twice as much as the [roughly $130 million](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/08/01/17748/super-pac-doppelgangers-eclipse-candidates-campaign-money-chase "undefined") raised by the candidates themselves, as the [Center for Public Integrity](http://www.publicintegrity.org/ "undefined") previously reported. _Cady Zuvich contributed to this report._ **Read Next:** [_Super PACs’ Haul So Far Tops $266 Million_](http://time.com/3981076/campaign-finance-super-pacs/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4036969/campaign-ads-super-pacs/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4036969/campaign-ads-super-pacs/"},"headline":"Super PACs Dominate 2016 Republican TV Ads So Far","datePublished":"2015-09-16T18:19:44.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T05:01:38.988Z","description":"Trend is reversed on the Democratic side.","url":"https://time.com/4036969/campaign-ads-super-pacs/","keywords":["Campaign Finance","2016 Election topic","Ads","super pacs"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaeb6b564719fdbf7/698863e6e20a87cccba8d428/super-pac-ads.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Center for Public Integrity / Michael Beckel"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaeb6b564719fdbf7/698863e6e20a87cccba8d428/super-pac-ads.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Republican Presidential Nominee Governor Rick Perry (TX) speaks to the crowd during the Eagle Forum's Eagle Council Event at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri on September 11, 2015.","caption":"Republican Presidential Nominee Governor Rick Perry (TX) speaks to the crowd during the Eagle Forum's Eagle Council Event at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri on September 11, 2015.","creditText":"Michael B. 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