House Races Cost $204 Million

It cost more than $204 million to fill the 435 House seats in the November election, with incumbents--almost all of whom won--trouncing opponents in donations, spending and political action committee money, according to a study released today.

The report from Common Cause, a self-styled public interest group, showed that the 789 candidates who ran for the House in the general election raised $240.9 million and spent $204.3 million. PACs contributed a record $99.6 million. The 408 incumbents in the election raised $174.2 million, and the 328 challengers raised $38.9 million. The 53 candidates who sought open seats raised $27.7 million. Eventually, 98.6% of House incumbents were reelected.