Spending on the 2012 US presidential race is likely to exceed the record $1.8 billion that the candidates spent in 2008, according to projections based on figures filed with US election authorities.
The 2008 race was marked by fiercely contested fights for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, but Democrat Barack Obama ran unopposed this time and Mitt Romney secured the Republican nod relatively early.
Most notable this electoral cycle has been the emergence of so-called super PACs, special political action committees that operate independently from the candidates and can raise unlimited amounts of money.
Amount raised by the campaigns of the presidential candidates
- Barack Obama: $432 million
- Mitt Romney: $274 million
Source: Federal Election Commission, August 31
Amount spent by the presidential candidate campaigns
- Barack Obama: $354 million
- Mitt Romney: $233 million
Source: FEC, August 31
Amount raised by the parties
- Democratic National Committee: $233 million
- Republican National Committee: $283 million
Source: FEC, August 31
Amount raised by “Super PACs”
- Priorities USA Action (Obama): $36 million
- Restore Our Future (Romney): $97 million
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, opensecrets.org, August 31
Amount spent by independent groups at national and local level
- Liberal groups: $374 million
- Conservative groups: $147 million
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, opensecrets.org, October 10
Number of fundraisers between May 29 and October 10
- Barack Obama: 69
- Mitt Romney: 105
Source: The Washington Post
US presidential election: where the money comes from
