Presidential candidate apologizes to Iowa on behalf of all the TV campaign ads. There are A LOT.

Katie Akin | The Des Moines Register

Iowans have been buried in political ads for months. Now, the candidates themselves are experiencing firsthand the pain of the presidential pitches.

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang apologized for the onslaught of ads Friday, tweeting: "I've seen half-a-dozen political ads on TV the past 15 minutes. I'm sorry Iowa."

An August Des Moines Register analysis showed that more than $4 million had already been spent by presidential candidates in Iowa. The figure has grown significantly: Advertising Analytics, a media tracking agency, found that Democratic presidential candidates have aired $33.7 million of television ads in Iowa. Another $8.1 million of airtime has been reserved.

I’ve seen half-a-dozen political ads on TV the past 15 minutes. I’m sorry Iowa. — Andrew Yang🧢 (@AndrewYang) December 13, 2019

Although most ads were traditional 30- or 60-second slots, some candidates have looked for more in-depth advertising opportunities. Former U.S. Rep. John Delaney spent $40,000 for a half-hour spot across seven media markets in November.

Advertising Analytics projects that $125 million will be spent in Iowa advertisements for the Democratic primary race.

The introduction of two billionaire candidates have upped the ante for ad spending. Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent more than $100 million nationwide since entering the race in November, according to Advertising Analytics. Businessman Tom Steyer spent more than $50 million.

Senate races in Iowa have also become a battleground for heavy-spenders. By August, political groups had already spent more than $1 million in the U.S. Senate campaign, in which Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is vying for re-election. By this month, that figure had blossomed to around $3 million.

Yang himself is one of the culprits clogging the Iowa airwaves. According to Advertising Analytics, he has spent $3.4 million in Iowa ads.

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 515-284-8041. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.

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