Virginia is for lovers -- of campaign ads.
In another sign of just how pivotal both sides see the commonwealth this fall, the presidential campaigns have spent a whopping $20.8 million on TV ads in Virginia. That’s second only to Florida and ahead of Ohio -- the perennial battlegrounds that have been critical to elections in the modern era.
The presidential campaigns and outside groups have spent a whopping $20.8 million in Virginia, second only to the Sunshine State’s $22.8 million. Rounding out the top three is Ohio, with $19.3 million.
For those living in the Norfolk-Portsmouth, Roanoke-Lynchburg, or Richmond areas, they have seen a deluge of advertising.
Those three areas are all in the top 10 media markets, most saturated with political TV ads, in the country this week. Norfolk-Portsmouth is No. 1, Roanoke-Lynchburg is No. 4, Richmond sits at No. 6.
Norfolk-Portsmouth, which also reaches parts of North Carolina, is the hottest media market in the country for the second-straight week.
The ads being seen are coming from nine groups. The biggest spender has been the Obama campaign ($3.79 million), followed closely by conservative outside group Crossroads GPS ($3.77 million).
But conservative groups are picking up the slack for the Romney campaign. Combined with Romney, anti-Obama advertising accounts for 61 percent of all money spent.
Conservative outside groups -- not including the Romney campaign -- have spent $6 million. Democratic outside groups have spent $1.6 million.
Hottest markets for this week 6/4-6/10 and in terms of advertising points:
1. Norfolk-Portsmouth, VA (Romney/1500, Obama/825, Crossroads/630, Priorities/400)
2. Columbus, OH (Romney/1500, Obama/815, Crossroads/600, Priorities/350)
3. Cedar Rapids, IA (Obama/1600, Romney/850, Crossroads/600, Priorities/350)
4. Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA (Romney/1500, Obama/815, Crossroads/750)
5. Charlotte, NC (Romney/1500, Obama/750, Crossroads/600)
6. Richmond, VA (Romney/1200, Obama/575, Crossroads/450, Priorities/350)
7. Greensboro-High Point, NC (Romney/1000, Obama/700, Crossroads/675)
8. Cincinnati, OH (Romney/1200, Obama/600, Crossroads/550)
9. Des Moines, IA (Romney/850, Obama/550, Priorities/500, Crossroads/350)
10. Greenville-Spartanburg, NC (Crossroads/1200, Obama/950)
11. Raleigh-Durham, NC (Romney/900, Crossroads/700, Obama/575)
Biggest spenders in the state through June 5:
1. Obama $3.8 million
2. Crossroads GPS $3.8 million
3. Romney $1.3 million
4. Priorities USA $1 million
5. Americans for Prosperity $890,000
6. Planned Parenthood $596,000
7. American Future Fund $538,000
8. American Energy Alliance $454,000
9. Restore Our Future $350,000
Domenico Montanaro is NBC News' Deputy Political Editor and an NBC News First Read analyst. Read the national edition of First Read featuring Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Domenico on msnbc.com.
