Topping $8 million spent on both sides, the race to hold or unseat North Carolina Senator Hagan has drawn the largest amount of money nationwide, thus far. According to CQ Roll Call, outside Republican groups outspent their Democratic counterparts in North Carolina, $5.7 million to $2.6 million, which includes the $750,000 airtime purchase in early December by Senate Majority PAC and about a $4 million total investment from Americans for Prosperity.
The largest spenders on both sides, thus far, have been Americans for Prosperity, and Senate Majority PAC, whose aims to hold on to the Democrat majority. Both groups were also big spenders in the 2012 election cycle, but have been exceedingly generous with their spending earlier than usual this cycle.
There is little doubt that Senator Hagan is one of the more vulnerable Democratic senators this cycle, as the race is rated a “Toss-Up” on the PPD 2014 Senate Map, but the Tar Heel State has some of the largest and most expensive markets of any top Senate race states this cycle, which can account somewhat for North Carolina being the top-spot as of now.
But the competitiveness of the race is more likely the culprit, with a gap between party spending that is currently unrivaled by other states. Both Senator Hagan and Barack Obama have seen their numbers in the state plummet, with a myriad of broken promises fueling voter discontent with the health care law.
North Carolina voters never supported ObamaCare, despite Senator Hagan repeatedly promising they could keep their health coverage if they liked it. But she voted for it anyway, and now finds herself fighting for her political survival.
The figures are based on information provided by media consultants in both parties reflecting spending leading up to December 10. However, not all of the money was spent as independent expenditures, which by law must be filed to the Federal Election Commission, making exact figures unavailable.
