Outside Spending in Senate Races

From CFI:

A Campaign Finance Institute analysis of independent expenditures (IEs) reported to the Federal Election Commission shows that competitive Senate races are dominating the IE landscape in the 2020 congressional general elections. With the battle for majority control of the Senate at stake, there have been nearly $310 million in IEs in Senate races through September 20 -- an increase of 121% over the $140.3 million spent as of the same date in 2018. In contrast, the $76.9 million in IEs on House races is substantially less than the $103.3 million spent by the same date in 2018.

The difference, of course, is that the battle for majority control has switched chambers. Most political professionals saw majority control of the House as being at stake in 2018, but not in 2020. The situation is reversed for the Senate.

The full report shows eye-openers such as North Carolina's $66.7 million, where the incumbent Thom Tillis (R) faces a spirited challenge by Cal Cunningham (D). Nearly $13 million of the IEs in this race have occurred over the past seven days.

Cumulative and most-recent-seven-day IE totals in each House and Senate race (combined with the candidates' receipts and other information) will be updated daily from now until Election Day on the CFI website.

Track all IEs in Congressional races on the CFI website.

House and Senate race data to be updated daily.