TNS Media Intelligence report forecasts that advertising for state and national political candidates and related issues could go as high as $1.6 billion this year (reports AdAge).

Earlier in August TNS reported that political and issue advocacy television advertising is on pace to shatter the mid-term election spending record set in 2002 and possibly surpass the record set in 2004. From Jan. 1 – Aug. 13, 2006, a stunning $311 million has been spent on local television so far by the candidates, the political parties, as well as interest groups campaigning within the nation’s gubernatorial, congressional, and senatorial elections – a 150% increase over the amount spent during the same period in 2002. TNS forecasted an additional $400 million in federal TV advertising before Election Day 2006