Ohio has the priciest Senate race this cycle

Ohio's pivotal Senate race between Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Bernie Moreno is by far the most expensive of this election cycle , according to AdImpact data.

Why it matters: A fierce battle for control of the Senate is fueling the expected record-breaking ad spending.

👀 Eye-popping stat : Spending on the Ohio race had surpassed $310 million as of Aug. 7.

• This includes money invested during the highly competitive Senate GOP primary , in which Moreno defeated Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Sen. Matt Dolan.
• The amount also includes ad reservations made through Election Day, which are expected to keep climbing.

Flashback: This is a massive jump from Brown's previous re-election cycles.

• Around $38 million was spent between the candidates and outside groups during the 2018 race , according to political spending tracker OpenSecrets.
• $82 million was spent in 2012 , the last time Brown appeared on the ballot during a presidential election year.

The big picture: Democrats hold a fundraising advantage over Republicans, which is helping them play defense in nine competitive Senate races.

• Yes, but : Ohio is the only one in which Republicans are outspending Democrats.

Between the lines: Republicans have zeroed in on ousting popular Democratic senators in Ohio and Montana, both states former President Trump handily won in 2016 and 2020.

Meanwhile: Neighboring Pennsylvania, with over $200 million in combined spending, remains at the heart of the 2024 cycle as a critical Senate — and presidential — swing state.