The 2024 Federal Elections Cost About $15.9 Billion
The Fact
OpenSecrets estimated that the 2024 federal elections — presidential and congressional races combined — cost about $15.9 billion. About $5.5 billion was spent on the presidential race alone.
What This Means
Running for federal office now takes enormous sums of money.
Why It Matters
Pew found 74% of Americans call the role of money in politics a 'very big problem' in 2026 — the top national problem in its survey.
Sources
PBS NewsHour, citing OpenSecrets, Nov. 5, 2024. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/live-update/election-news-2024/the-cost-of-this-election
Pew Research Center. National problems report, May 11, 2026. https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/05/PP_2026.5.11_national-problems_report.pdf