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 Linda Thomas
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Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

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Money.jpg
President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney spent a combined $30.33 every second this election cycle. Washington initiative campaigns spent $34 million for this General Election. (AP file photo)

Democracy and dollar signs - 2012 campaign spending

November 5, 2012 @ 4:47 pm (Updated: 5:24 am - 11/6/12 )

Washington initiative campaigns spent $34 million trying to win your vote, while President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney spent a combined $30.33 every second this election cycle.

The Presidential spending figure comes from a grand total of more than $1.7 billion spent by both sides through mid-October. That works out to more than $79 million per month, and more than $2.6 million every day, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Washington statewide candidates spent about $31 million, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission, while outside lobbyists pumped in $202 million.

The top spending Initiative campaign is Referendum 74, the measure to uphold or reject Washington's same-sex marriage law. Supporters spent $12 million.

Charter schools supporters, led by billionaire Bill Gates, spent $10 million to urge voters to adopt an initiative that will allow up to 40 charter schools in Washington.

The people in favor of the plan to legalize and regulate marijuana spent about $6 million.

All those television, radio and online ads that pop up every few seconds it seems were boosted by $31 million dollars statewide candidates spent. Rob McKenna and Jay Inslee are about even in their spending at about $11 million each.

Legislative candidates in Washington spent about $20 million, while judicial candidates plunked down $3.3 to win their positions. Another $3 million was spent on local races by those running for county commission and water district seats.

By LINDA THOMAS

I'm looking forward to anchoring KIRO Radio's special election night coverage from 6 - 10 p.m. Actually, I'm most interested in watching our talk hosts get fiesty - Dave Ross, Dori Monson, Luke Burbank and Michael Medved. Join us on the radio at 97.3 FM and online (with streaming cameras) at MyNorthwest.com

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Comments (8)


  • Add A Comment

  • serzsa wrote...
    see, but
    November 5, 2012 7:03 pm
    before we can feed the hungry, help the less fortunate, etc. we must make sure we win. By telling the dumb electorate how to vote. Once we do -- there's no more money left.

    Very easy -- democracy in action.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    All the people donating money to these campaigns want something in return.
    November 5, 2012 8:46 pm
    That's why the middle class always gets screwed by the special interest groups.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Money of that magnitude usually distorts the message...
    November 5, 2012 8:55 pm
    but in the case of partisan politics, the message is so distorted to begin with, I don't know if the money makes a difference.

    People without souls and without consciences invent the lies; the money simply ensures the lies can be repeated with enough frequency that Boobus Americanus will begin to believe that the specific lies that reinforce his preexisting prejudices must indeed be true.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    Private special interest groups must end or...
    November 6, 2012 12:05 am
    Our kids will have to pay,they'll pay back those Billionaires who will want a return on their dollarfrom the middle class on down
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • roomtemp wrote...
    All those television, radio and online ads...
    November 6, 2012 3:56 am
    Are hideously annoying! Most of them are so ridiculous you have to wonder what kind of a dolt would be influenced by them. It's more like an election cycle media stimulus package at this point.

    [This segment funded by 'The coalition of concerned citizens against cat juggling and kicking puppies'.]

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Too bad all that green isn't always grass root support...
    November 6, 2012 7:57 am
    Regardless of the outcome of today's election, in an era of changing demographics my Republican friends might do well to heed the remarks of Republican Senator Graham:

    “The demographics race we’re losing badly,” said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.). “We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.”

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • serzsa wrote...
    Finally enlightened!
    November 7, 2012 7:00 am
    http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/voterregistration/voterreg_cancellation_voter.pdf
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }