Buying political power

It is a record for a congressional midterm cycle. Candidates, political parties and outside groups are set to spend more than $5.2 billion on House and Senate contests combined, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.

The spending in California’s 25th district, a region stretching north and east of Los Angeles into the high desert of the Antelope Valley, stands out even during the most expensive congressional elections in U.S. history. The contest has drawn more than $26 million in spending by candidates and outside groups since January 2017. It leads the 10 priciest House races, where a total of $238 million has been spent. Democrats and their allies in the 10 costliest House races spent $142 million to Republicans’ $96 million.

The fight for the Senate is even costlier.

In Florida, Republican Rick Scott’s contest against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson is the most expensive Senate race. The candidates and their allies have spent nearly $160 million. Nelson’s campaign spent about $25 million while outside groups splashed out $45 million supporting him or opposing Scott, who spent nearly $67 million. Outside groups spent $22 million supporting him and opposing Nelson.

Missouri’s Senate race between Democrat Claire McCaskill and Republican Josh Hawley is second most expensive at roughly $108 million. Texas is third at about $100 million.

The Democratic share of spending for the House swelled to 60 percent this year, from 44 percent in 2014, the previous midterm elections.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-money/non-stop-ads-and-robocalls-welcome-to-americas-costliest-election-idUSKCN1N90B8