GOP spends big on midterm ads and Jim Bakker dies at 86: Morning Rundown

Republicans funnel hundreds of millions of dollars into midterm races. Text messages show how Cornell fraternity brothers sought to coordinate their responses after rape allegations came to light. And televangelist Jim Bakker dies at 86.

Republicans have made more than $700 million worth of new advertising bookings in congressional races since the start of September, according to an NBC News analysis of data from AdImpact, a political ad-tracking firm. By comparison, Democrats booked more than $430 million in new ad reservations across those races last month.

This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

The unprecedented flood of late ad spending in House and Senate races will test whether hundreds of millions of dollars can buy the GOP some reprieve as it combats eroding standing among voters.

In the battle for the Senate majority, almost 7 of every 10 newly booked advertising dollars are coming from Republicans. The party has poured almost $150 million in new ad dollars to back Ken Paxton over Democrat James Talarico.

In the House, a bit less than 6 in 10 new ad dollars are coming from the GOP.

Take a closer look…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports