The campaign for the United States Senate seat held by Republican Susan Collins is set to break records for a statewide race in Maine.
According to federal campaign spending figures, Democrat Sara Gideon raised about $7.1 million in the most recent reporting period, better than three times what Collins raised. So far in the campaign, Gideon has brought in $14.8 million to Collins’ $13.2 million. But Gideon has been spending a lot of money on television ads and Collins has about $1 million more in cash on hand.
Collins also has had outside support, with nearly $2 million from independent groups. And both political parties have pledged to spend millions more in the fall campaign.
Gideon faces a primary challenge in July from fellow Democrats Betsy Sweet and Bri Kidman, but neither has brought in significant money. Sweet has raised about $400,000 and has a little more than $37,000 cash on hand. Kidman has only raised a few thousand dollars.
There are also several independent candidates that could be on the fall ballot.
