MILWAUKEE (AP) — Journal Communications Inc. profits soared 73 percent in the third quarter boosted by strong political and issue ad sales in its broadcast division as the November elections draw near.

The presidential race and a U.S. Senate race are both dead heats in Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee-based company has been a beneficiary of heavy political spending. Journal Communications owns 14 TV stations and 35 radio stations as well as the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin’s largest newspaper.