The Senate Leadership Fund is pausing its ad spending in the North Carolina Senate race and launching a new ad campaign in Kansas, changing its strategy as the fight for the Senate majority moves toward red states during a tough election cycle for the GOP. The moves by the super PAC aligned with Senate Republican leadership were confirmed by multiple sources following initial reports by Semafor, reflecting growing Democratic momentum and changing battleground dynamics ahead of the midterm elections.
Did You Know? Kansas has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1932, making the current competitive homestretch between Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton a notable departure from historical voting patterns in the state.
Senate Leadership Fund Redirects Ad Spending From North Carolina to Kansas
The Senate Leadership Fund has put further ad spending on hold in North Carolina after spending more than $30 million to help Republican nominee Michael Whatley, according to data from AdImpact and reporting by WRAL. The group had previously reserved an additional $18 million in airtime through Election Day but now has no plans to add to that total. At the same time, the super PAC is plowing seven figures into Kansas to support incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, reserving more than $8 million in airtime total as the race tightens in the final weeks.
The strategic shift highlights Republican concerns over Whatley’s standing against former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Doug Heye, a Republican strategist and former RNC communications director, told WRAL that the move is “a blow to the campaign and a tangible recognition that we haven’t seen any real tightening in the polls.” Every major poll since August has shown Cooper leading by at least 3 percentage points, with some tracking averages indicating an 8-point lead. Despite the pullback in ad reservations, the campaign retains sufficient resources to highlight Cooper’s record.
Broader Shifting Maps and Economic Pressures Facing the GOP
The reallocation of resources shows how Democrats are putting traditionally safe Republican states in play while attempting to capture the four seats needed to take control of the U.S. Senate. Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the chamber and can afford to lose up to three seats to maintain their majority with the help of the vice president’s tie-breaking vote. Campaign leaders have pointed to spiking fuel prices, driven in part by the ongoing war with Iran, as a significant factor weighing on GOP candidates and driving voter frustration with high costs. President Donald Trump traveled to North Carolina last month to campaign for Whatley, with Trump defending higher fuel prices during a joint appearance as “a very inexpensive price to pay” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Even as resources leave North Carolina, the Senate Leadership Fund maintains active investments in other hotly contested battlegrounds. The group spent $78 million in Texas through an affiliated organization in September and booked another $48 million for October through November 3. SLF also deployed substantial funds in Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Maine, Georgia, Alaska, and New Hampshire. While confidence has also dwindled regarding Republican prospects against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia—where Trump won by just 2 points in 2024—sources familiar with the spending confirmed that the group has not paused its ad investments in that state.
Senate Leadership Fund Pauses North Carolina Advertising
Why is the Senate Leadership Fund pausing its advertising in North Carolina?
The super PAC paused further ad investments due to Republican nominee Michael Whatley trailing Democratic candidate Roy Cooper in recent polling, leading the party to reallocate resources toward more competitive or urgent defensive races.
Who are the candidates running in the Kansas Senate race?
Incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall is facing a challenge from Democratic nominee Adam Hamilton, a pastor and leader of the nation’s largest United Methodist Church.
What is the current balance of power in the U.S. Senate?
Senate Republicans currently hold 53 seats and can afford to lose up to three seats while maintaining control of the chamber through the Republican vice president’s tie-breaking vote.
How will late-breaking undecided voters ultimately influence the outcome of the North Carolina Senate contest?
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