Senate candidates in Iowa, Georgia, Ohio, Texas rely on out-of-state donations

Senate candidates in Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and Texas are raising most of their campaign money from donors outside their home states, and they are using national‑focused digital ads to court those contributions, NPR reported.

The shift is driven by cheap online fundraising tools that make it easy to solicit tiny donations from anywhere in the country. Platforms such as ActBlue for Democrats and WinRed for Republicans cut the cost of processing a $5 or $10 gift, so candidates can afford to run ads that target a broad audience. Professor Zachary Albert of Brandeis said the lower transaction costs have turned out‑of‑state fundraising into a profitable strategy for many hopefuls.

NPR’s analysis of Google Ads shows more than $15 million spent on fundraising ads in the 2025‑26 cycle, and roughly three‑quarters of that money went to ads that ran nationally. The ads rarely mention local issues; instead they echo national talking points like defending or attacking former President Trump or flipping the Senate blue or red. For example, over 80 percent of the itemized contributions to Georgia’s Jon Ossoff and Iowa Democrat Josh Turek came from outside their states. Candidates also tailor their messages: a TV spot in the state may avoid party labels, while a digital ad aimed at out‑of‑state viewers leans heavily on the candidate’s partisan identity.

The practice could shape the balance of power in the Senate. Republicans currently hold the chamber, but several toss‑up races could let Democrats regain control if national fundraising continues to fuel aggressive messaging. Critics warn that focusing on out‑of‑state donors may drown out local concerns and push candidates toward more polarizing rhetoric. As the November election approaches, both parties will likely double down on digital outreach, making the source of campaign cash an increasingly visible factor in the fight for the Senate.