FEC summarizes first 21 months of campaign activity for the 2012 election cycle
Federal candidates, parties and political action committees (PACs) collected more than $5.7 billion and spent more than $4.8 billion between January 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012, according to third-quarter filings submitted to the Commission. Independent expenditure and electioneering communication spending totaled $541 million during the 21-month period.
Presidential candidates reported raising more than $1 billion and spending $923.5 million from January 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012. Three eligible campaigns also received more than $916,000 in primary matching funds during the period.
The 1,922 candidates running for House and Senate during the 2012 election cycle reported raising a total of more than $1.6 billion and spending $1.3 billion between January 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012. The 1,672 House candidates reported $985.6 million in receipts during this period andthe 250 candidates running in the 33 2012 Senate races reported more than $620 million in receipts.
National, state and local political party committees reported nearly $1.4 billion in federal receipts, more than $1 billion in disbursements, debts of $35.3 million, and a combined cash-on-hand of $264.7 million for the cycle as of September 30, 2012.
During the 21-month period, 6,464 federal PACs reported more than $1.7 billion in receipts and nearly $1.6 billion in disbursements. Contributions by PACs to federal candidates on the ballots totaled $378.5 million as of September 30, 2012.
Independent expenditures totaled $536.1 million during this period with Independent Expenditure-Only Committees – commonly known as Super PACs – responsible for $280 million. Independent expenditures made by persons other than political committees totaled $121.5 million while PACs and party committees totaled $93.2 million and $32.2 million, respectively.
Filers reported $4.9 million in electioneering communications as of September 30, 2012.
Resources: