2016 candidates have already spent $1 million on attack ads. Nearly all of them target Hillary Clinton.

(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

last updated 12 June 2015

There are still 515 days to go before the 2016 election, but that hasn't stopped presidential candidates from dropping some early cash on attack ads. According to a Center for Public Integrity review of federal campaign finance filings, 2016 candidates have already spent seven figures on mudslinging ads — the majority of which target Democratic frontrunner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:

This month alone, Clinton has been attacked by the Republican National Committee and a host of other conservative groups, including the Stop Hillary PAC and the Citizens United Super PAC."Getting in early was the only way to go given the enormity of the opposition," said Dan Backer, treasurer of the Stop Hillary PAC."That strategic move will ultimately help defeat her," Backer continued. "A lot of groups have recognized the coming storm and are getting themselves and their audiences ready." [Center for Public Integrity]

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Samantha Rollins is TheWeek.com's news editor. She has previously worked for The New York Times and TIME and is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.