** FILE ** President Obama (right) and Republican presidential candidate and former ... more >Candidates in the 2012 presidential election spent a record $7 billion during the race — a record-setting figure that surpassed all expectations, according to the Federal Election Commission.
FEC predictions were that election-related expenditures for 2012 would hit $6 billion, Politico reports.
To put $7 billion in perspective: It’s more than if every man, woman and child gave $1 to a campaign, Politico says.
FEC Chairwoman Ellen Weintraub said Thursday that candidates spent almost half of the total, an estimated $3.2 billion. Political parties spent another $2 billion; political committees, another $2.1 billion, according to Politico.
“It’s a lot of money,” Ms. Weintraub reportedly said. “Every presidential election is the most expensive ever. Elections don’t get cheaper.”
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Cheryl Chumley is a continuous news writer for The Washington Times. Previously, she was part of the start-up team for The Washington Times’ digital aggregation product, Times247. She’s also a 2008-2009 Robert Novak journalism fellow with The Phillips Foundation. She can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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