This year’s North Carolina Senate race is shaping up to be one of America’s first $100 million Senate races.
By the time Nov. 4 rolls around, money spent or committed to the race between Democratic U.S. Sen Kay Hagan and Republican Thom Tillis is supposed to top $103 million, according to analysis by the Charlotte Observer.
Three-quarters of the money comes from both party and interest groups, while more than $22 million comes from groups that don’t disclose their donors, known as “dark money” groups.
Hagan’s campaign has spent $19.6 million, being backed by $35 million from outside groups.
Tillis’ campaign has spent only $6 million, but outside groups have sent more than $42 million his way.
“It’s a stunning number, and it tells you two things,” Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist, said. “That campaign finance is completely out of anybody’s control and North Carolina is a premier swing state.”
As of Oct. 13, nearly 80,000 television ads had aired in North Carolina — or three Senate ads every five minutes, according to analysis.
The next most expensive race? The 2012 Massachusetts race between Democrat Elizabeth Warren and Republican Scott Brown, which cost at least $76 million.
