More down-ballot statewide candidates going on TV

In most cases, these candidates have the airwaves to themselves. Their opponents do not have competing ads

Josh Stein and Mark Robinson have been on TV for months. Dan Bishop and Jeff Jackson have been broadcasting ads in their AG race for weeks. But now that we’re in October, more Council of State candidates are launching their own television ads for the final weeks of the campaign.

The biggest spender I’ve seen so far: Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Rachel Hunt has just dropped nearly $500,000 on broadcast ads in the Raleigh and Charlotte markets, according to federal filings.

You can see a larger version and manipulate the data here. A few of the smaller buys were made in July, but the rest were made late last week.

Hunt’s opponent, Hal Weatherman, does not appear to be on TV currently.

Down-ballot statewide candidates often choose not to go on TV because of simple economics. These races don’t raise nearly the amount of money as their higher-profile kin, and reaching any sort of penetration statewide is costly. Most consultants will tell you that you’re throwing away your money …