Jun 26, 2008 8:45 am US/Central
Reality Check: Record Amounts For U.S. Senate Race
MINNEAPOLIS (CBS) ―
It's already the most expensive U.S. Senate race in the country and it's not yet running at full speed. The eye-popping numbers are a sign of a tumultuous Senate race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken headed this way.
Money is pouring into Minnesota in record amounts.
Minnesota's U.S. Senate candidates have raised more than $23 million in this election cycle. That far outpaces the second highest money race in Texas at $16.2 million. And also the state of Kentucky U.S. Senate race at $15.8 million.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Franken is the number one money raiser in the country for 2008. While his Republican incumbent Coleman is number three.
So far, Franken has raised $9.4 million and Coleman has taken in $8.7 million.
With many months to go in the race the 2008 U.S. Senate candidates are almost certainly going to outspend the campaigns of 2006. That year Democratic candidate Amy Klobuchar spent $9.2 million to defeat Republican Mark Kennedy who spent $9.7 million.
Minnesota traditionally "leans" Democrat but many Republicans, including presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, think Minnesota is winnable. That's why this has a "must win" status for both parties.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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