GRayson County, Texas – As the 2026 midterm election draws nearer, television, social‑media and downtown Sherman are awash with political commercials. Local voters are voicing frustration, saying the ads have become a daily nuisance.
“Every time I see a commercial now, I just either flip it or just turn my head and ignore it,” said Keith Honeycutt, a Sherman resident. “It gets more and more every day.”
Cody Honeycutt, also from Sherman, echoed the sentiment. “We’re not focusing on what is really helping us. Instead, it’s focused on social issues and what is wrong with the other people. I don’t want to see those anymore,” he said.
Strategist predicts more ads as Texas turns competitive
Charlie Kolean, president of Strategic Political Management in Dallas, cautioned that the backlash is unlikely to curb advertising. “So, long as this trend of people thinking that Texas is going towards being a swing state, we’re going to continue to see more and more political ads come every election,” Kolean explained.
He added that campaigns view advertising as a primary tool for voter outreach. “In a presidential election, it’s somewhere around 50 or 60% of the population that’s actually voting. So there’s so much opportunity in putting the right message out there,” Kolean said.
Industry data shows ad spending in Texas has risen steadily over the past two election cycles, and analysts expect the pattern to continue as the state becomes a focal point for both parties.
Voters want debates, not endless commercials
Some residents suggested a different approach. “You can actually contrast what these politicians think they’re going to do when you put them on a stage together. Otherwise it’s just, you know, hate mail going out,” Cody Honeycutt said, advocating for more candidate debates.
Local civic groups have begun discussing town‑hall formats and televised debates as alternatives to the current barrage of ads, hoping to give voters clearer choices and reduce the perceived noise.
While the sentiment against political advertising is strong, Kolean reminded listeners that advertising remains a legal and effective method for campaigns to convey their platforms, especially in a state that may swing between parties. “The more competitive the environment, the more both sides will invest in reaching voters,” he said.
For now, Sherman residents will continue to navigate the mix of commercials and campaign messaging, hoping that future election cycles will bring more substantive public discourse and fewer repetitive ads.
Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.
