Minnesota Midterm Spending Hits Record Highs Ahead of Election
Democratic and Republican candidates and super PACs have spent millions in what is expected to be the most expensive midterm election in Minnesota history.
Minnesota is preparing for November 3 midterm elections that are expected to be the most expensive in state history. All 201 seats in the Minnesota Legislature are up for election, prompting heavy spending from both parties to secure majorities.
Democratic nominee for governor Amy Klobuchar raised over $15.5 million as of October 19 and spent nearly $13.5 million, primarily on advertising. Republican nominee Lisa Demuth raised $3.6 million, which included a $1.3 million public subsidy.
Outside spending has significantly inflated the cost of the races. The super PAC Restore Sanity raised over $16 million, largely funded by the Restoration of America PAC, and allocated $5 million to support Demuth and $9 million to oppose Klobuchar. On the Democratic side, the Alliance for a Better Minnesota raised $8.5 million to target Republican candidates, while the group Renew Minnesota spent over $9 million on contested legislative races.
