In states with high-profile governor's races, candidates further down the ballot typically rely on the top of the ticket for a boost.

But in Virginia, that dynamic has been flipped on its head in the closing stretch of this year's campaign, at least on the airwaves.

Republicans have spent more on TV ads in recent weeks on the race for attorney general — where past violent text messages by the Democratic nominee have roiled the race — than the higher-profile contest for governor, where the GOP candidate is the underdog.

Campaign finance rules in Virginia allow outside groups to donate directly to candidates, so the bulk of Republicans' ad spending in these two races have come from Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the gubernatorial nominee, and Attorney General Jason Miyares.

According to

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