North Carolina most expensive Senate race so far
With nearly $300 million in total spending pouring in, the North Carolina Senate race has been the most expensive congressional race so far in 2020, followed by Iowa and South Carolina, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
In the 10 most expensive Senate races this year, Democrats have been vastly outraising and outspending Republicans, especially where Democratic challengers are competing against Republican incumbents, the center's analysis of campaign spending records shows. Outside political groups not affiliated with the campaigns have also been driving up the spending.
Across the Senate battleground, North Carolina could possibly be the state that tilts control of the chamber -- reflected in $280 million in both campaign and outside money being poured into the state. The candidates have spent more than $64 million in the contest, with Democrat challenger Cal Cunningham raising and spending more than twice the amount of Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Outside groups have also spent upward of $215 million supporting the two.
The contest between Republican Sen. Joni Ernst and Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield in Iowa has also attracted far more spending from political interest groups than the candidates. Outside groups have funneled at least $170 million into the race, with more than $94 million going into unseating the incumbent senator and more than $74 million spent to fend off the challenger. The candidates' campaigns have spent about $64 million combined so far.
South Carolina has spent more than $209 million in a surprisingly competitive race for this cycle. The candidates have spent far more than outside groups in this race, with $164 million being spent by Democrat Jaime Harrison and GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, compared to $45 million by outside groups. Harrison's campaign had raised $107 million and spent $104 million of that by mid-October, while Graham has raised $72 million and spent $60 million.
-ABC News' Kendall Karson and Soorin Kim