Billionaire Republican Meg Whitman reported yesterday that she has spent more than $99 million in her quest to become California's governor, including $71 million just to win the Republican primary. Democrat Jerry Brown, who didn't have a serious primary opponent, has spent just $450,000, plus $324,000 in donated services, but he has $23 million on hand. The race is shaping up to be the most expensive gubernatorial race in US history, according to the AP.
Whitman has about $10.3 million in cash on hand, but that's not a particularly meaningful statistic for her, since she's spent $91 million of her own money already. Brown's funds come largely from union-funded groups. Right now the race is tight; a poll released last week has Brown ahead 37-34, with a quarter of respondents still undecided.
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