Decision 2014: Midterm election spending to break records, millions from outside political groups funnel into Colorado

The Center For Responsive Politics estimates $4 billion will be spent to win races across the country in this fall’s midterm elections.

Republicans and Democrats are very different voters from what they used to be,” Colorado College professor Bob Loevy said. “Both sides feels if they lose the election, it’s going to cost them greatly. In that atmosphere where it’s so competitive, raising money and spending it becomes the name of the game.”

A lot of the cash from outside independent political groups not affiliated with candidates nor parties is coming into Colorado with two very close races at the top of the ticket.

National studies show the Udall and Gardner campaigns have spent a combined $27 million on the race but outside groups have spent $56 million, making this contest only second to the North Carolina Senate race between Kay Hagan and Tom Tillis.

One Colorado Springs voter is appalled by the astronomical numbers.

“Who would have thought $4 billion for a midterm election. That’s nuts. It just adds to the corruption,” William Marvin said.

Loevy believes these days the candidates and their staffs are no longer in charge of campaigns.

“When you have twice as much money being spent by these outside groups, they’re the ones running the campaigns, selecting the issues,” Loevy said.