GOP candidate ad buys are low in top Iowa markets

With 10 weeks to go before the Jan. 3, 2012 Iowa Caucuses, ad sales at the state’s largest network TV station remain slow, with just three Republican presidential candidates buying airtime so far.

And the largest purchaser of ads at KCCI, the local CBS affiliate in Des Moines, isn’t even in the GOP race anymore.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty spent $100,090 on ads at KCCI in July and August but dropped out of the race after a mediocre showing at the Ames Straw Poll on Aug. 13.

Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has spent $58,139 at KCCI, including a $20,357 purchase for ads running from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3. He first bought ads in mid-July.

Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann has spent just $17,085 at KCCI, and hasn’t purchased ads since mid-August.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and businessman Herman Cain have yet to buy ads at KCCI.