Gov. races: Number of TV ads doubled

ALBQUERQUE (KRQE) - If you feel like you've seen more TV ads in the governor's race this year than in previous elections, you are right.

An independent study released by the Wesleyan Media Project shows the number of TV ads for gubernatorial races across the country has more than doubled since the 2006 elections.

Early numbers for TV ads in governor's races across the country from Sept. 1 through Oct. 7 of this year total 293,167. That's more than double the 142,221 spots that ran over the same period 4 years ago.

Local political analysts point to a January 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that loosened restrictions on corporate campaign spending. Under the decision, corporations and unions are free to spend money on TV ads in ways that were previously banned.

"A new law that says corporations can give as much as they want has had a huge impact," political commentator and blogger Joe Monahan said.

New Mexico is near the top of the lists for number of gubernatorial TV ads per capita and TV ad money spent per capita.

Politicos also say more ads have shown up this election season because more is at stake. Specifically, when 2010 Census figures come in, state governors will get that once-in-a-decade chance to help reshape the future of politics in the state.

"Redistricting that will take place under these new governors is also dropping a lot of money into these ads as the parties seek an advantage," Monahan said.