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Meg Whitman Has Spent $99M on California Campaign - So far

Meg Whitman
AP

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, California's Republican candidate for governor, has spent more than $99 million on her campaign so far, the Associated Press reports, in what could become the most expensive gubernatorial race in history.

Whitman spent $71 million in the GOP primary, her campaign reported yesterday, and spent nearly $20 million in the six-week period ending June 30.

By contrast, her Democratic opponent, California Attorney General Jerry Brown, has spent $450,000 on his race to date -- 220 times less money than Whitman.

The former chief executive has given her campaign $91 million of her own money, the AP reports. She also reported raising $3.3 million from outside sources in the six weeks prior to June 30. Brown raised slightly more than $2.6 million in that period.

Brown, however, has the advantage when it comes to cash on hand: He has $23 million while Whitman has about $10.3 million.

Additionally, Brown has the support of union-backed groups that are investing heavily in the race. California Working Families, for instance, reportedly spent nearly $4 million in ads on his behalf in six weeks.

The latest poll from the Public Policy Institute of California showed Brown leading Whitman 37 percent to 34 percent. A quarter of respondents were undecided.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Campaign 2010
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