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Ky. Governor’s Race Most Competitive, Biggest Spending in Country
By: Associated Press
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky leads the nation in political spending on TV ads as it hosts the most competitive governor’s race in the country.
Politicians and outside groups have spent $9.8 million on TV ads in Kentucky since Jan. 1, 2014, according to an analysis of ad spending by the Center for Public Integrity. The data includes spending through Monday and doesn’t include money to produce the ads or money spent on radio, online, direct mail or TV ads that aired on local cable systems.
Hal Heiner is the top spender with an estimated $2.3 million. Heiner finished third in May’s Republican primary after running a mostly self-funded campaign. Democrat Jack Conway is second with about $1.7 million, and Republican nominee Matt Bevin is third with $1.1 million.
The Center for Public Integrity estimates outside groups have spent $3.2 million on the race so far, but the actual number is likely higher.