Paul still leading TV ad buys in Iowa

Republican presidential candidate and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) continues to buy ads in the Des Moines network TV market, with spots scheduled to run through Nov. 13 at the local CBS affiliate.

Paul has so far spent $190,313 at KCCI and local NBC affiliate WHO, more than any other candidate. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty spent the second most at the stations, racking up $166,511 worth of ads during his abbreviated presidential run.

Coming in third is Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who’s spent $104,179 at the two stations since late October. Make Us Great Again, a super PAC supporting Perry, has also begun buying ads in Des Moines.

Still noticeably absent the ad buy race with less than two months to go before the Jan. 3 Iowa Caucuses are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, businessman Herman Cain and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) also hasn’t purchased any ads yet.

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) hasn’t bought ads since mid-August and has spent just $35,138.