WASHINGTON — Republican super PACs aligned with President Donald Trump have reserved more than $150 million in advertising over the past two weeks, bringing a major infusion of outside money into the closing stretch of the 2026 midterm campaign. The spending is concentrated in Senate and House races where Republicans are facing unexpected competition, including contests in states and districts that Trump carried by double-digit margins in 2024. The reservations include advertising from MAGA Inc., No Going Back PAC and Safety and Affordability PAC. The shift is especially pronounced in Texas, where Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton had been heavily outspent on television during a primary fight and the early general-election campaign. Republican groups have reserved more than $94 million in pro-Paxton advertising for September, compared with roughly $20 million supporting Democratic nominee James Talarico, according to AdImpact data. Paxton, Texas' attorney general, appealed for financial help at the Republican convention in Dallas this month. He called Talarico, a state representative, “the most radical Democrat in Texas history,” while also describing his opponent as well funded. Talarico had 12 times more cash on hand than Paxton at the most recent campaign-finance deadline, at the end of June. But outside groups can raise and spend unlimited sums, allowing them to quickly overwhelm a candidate's own fundraising advantage. Across the nine most competitive Senate races, Republican candidates and groups have pledged more than $557 million in advertising, compared with $343 million for Democrats, an analysis of AdImpact data found. Republicans have booked more advertising than Democrats in eight of those contests; Georgia is the exception. The Republican spending is not limited to traditional battlegrounds. Senate advertising is also flowing into Alaska, Texas, North Carolina and Ohio, where Democratic victories could help the party take control of the chamber. In the House, outside Republican groups are spending in districts Trump won by wide margins in 2024, including Texas' 15th Congressional District, Kentucky's 6th and Alabama's 2nd. The investments suggest Republicans are defending seats that once would have been considered secure, including districts made more competitive by political conditions despite Republican-drawn maps intended to protect GOP incumbents. “Look across the battleground Senate states, look at the House districts, the cavalry has come,” Republican strategist Scott Jennings said. He predicted the money would give Republicans the resources to draw contrasts with Democratic candidates and could help the party win some close races. Jennings also acknowledged that the campaign is likely to be highly negative. The reservations will pay for television, streaming and digital ads, including attacks on Democratic candidates. Republicans are entering the midterms with political headwinds. The president's party typically loses ground in midterm elections, while Trump's approval ratings, trade conflicts, the war with Iran and higher gas prices have contributed to a difficult environment for the GOP. Voters have identified the cost of living as their top concern. Trump has nevertheless maintained a large fundraising operation. He recently told reporters that his super PAC held nearly $1 billion and that he expected to direct $400 million to $500 million toward the midterms. Democratic operative Jesse Ferguson said the Republican financial advantage was foreseeable because Democrats are out of power and Trump has cultivated a highly transactional political operation. “Money can't change the weather, but it can be an umbrella for them going into this election,” Ferguson said. “It can help insulate them, but it can't change the fundamentals of what voters are feeling.” The advertising figures are based on reservations, not necessarily final spending. Campaigns and outside groups can alter or cancel bookings, and some races have little advertising reserved beyond September. In Ohio, however, more than $116 million has already been locked in for the remainder of the election, according to AdImpact. The scale of outside spending means voters in competitive states and districts are likely to see a surge of political messaging in the weeks before Election Day, much of it funded by groups that operate separately from the candidates and can accept unlimited contributions.