Full Breakdown
American Bridge 21st Century Launches $50 Million Midterm Ad Campaign
6/9/2026, 11:25:35 PM
Campaign Overview
American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic-aligned opposition-research group, began a $50 million advertising push on Tuesday to help Democrats flip control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections. The campaign targets a slate of House and Senate races in Republican-leaning districts, employing digital, television and radio ads.
Background & Context
Democrats have lagged Republican fundraising and lost ground in a nationwide redistricting fight launched by former President Donald Trump. In the 2024 presidential cycle, American Bridge spent $140 million to undercut Trump’s rural support, a strategy that informed the current midterm effort.
Targeted Races & Data
The effort focuses on House contests in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, and Senate races in Alaska, Iowa, Michigan and Mississippi. It excludes Senate contests in Maine, North Carolina and Texas due to resource limits. The $50 million budget funds a mix of digital, TV and radio spots.
Key Figures
Bradley Beychok, co-founder of American Bridge, leads the initiative. The ads feature Brad Singleton, a former 32-year Republican from Walford, Iowa, who switched parties after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and Jill Kordick, a 64-year-old retired health-care administrator from Norwalk, Iowa, who describes herself as moderate-to-progressive.
Official Statements & Responses
Beychok said Democrats must maximize wins and gains in Republican territory and that the organization is fully committed to the effort. He framed the campaign as a response to a broken covenant between Trump, the Republican Party and working-class voters.
On-the-Ground Reports
Singleton said the Jan. 6 riot marked his disillusionment, characterizing Trump’s post-election reaction as overly emotional. He voted for Trump in 2024 but later expressed regret, citing the economy and the war with Iran. Kordick noted that Trump’s second term spurred her political involvement and warned that converting Republican districts will require inviting people to the table to ease voters’ embarrassment about past choices.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We really have to maximize our wins and gains this year, particularly in Republican territory,” — Bradley Beychok, Co-founder, American Bridge 21st Century
- “threw a fit like a toddler” — Brad Singleton, Former Republican, Iowa
- “Because of the economy, because of this war with Iran, because so many things that have happened.” — Brad Singleton
- “I don’t think it’s gonna be easy,” — Jill Kordick, Retired Health-Care Administrator, Iowa
What's Next
The campaign will run through the 2026 election cycle, targeting undecided voters in the listed districts. American Bridge says it will track response data and refine messaging before the November midterm ballot.
