The Cringiest and Craftiest 2026 Midterm Ads

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<p>Advertisers are projected to spend more money on political ads in the 2026 midterms than in any previous election cycle. What are campaigns selling — and what do they think voters want? The Opinion editor Steve Stromberg examines the ads shaping these elections with the Opinion columnist Carlos Lozada and Emily Keegin, a photo editor and creative consultant.</p><p>Want to catch “The Opinions” live?<br>Join us at the Brooklyn Public Library on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. The Opinion columnists Jamelle Bouie and David French and the Opinion writer Michelle Cottle will unpack the midterm election results and look ahead to 2028. Register here: <a href="https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/new-york-times-opinion-central-library-dweck-20261105-0700pm" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/new-york-times-opinion-central-library-dweck-20261105-0700pm</a></p><p>Thoughts? Email us at <a href="mailto:theopinions@nytimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">theopinions@nytimes.com</a>.</p><p>This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Jillian Weinberger. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Piktin. Mixing by Gautam Srikishan. Video editing by Brandon Belk-Yee and Britt Shacham Bernstein. The postproduction manager is Mike Puretz. Original music by Pat McCusker. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta, Kristina Samulewski and Ali Baluch. The director of Opinion Video is Jonah M. Kessel. The director of audio engineering is Isaac Jones. The deputy director of Opinion Shows is Alison Bruzek. The director of Opinion Shows is Annie-Rose Strasser.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>