Forty-three million dollars and counting.
As of Wednesday, that's how much outside spending has been racked up in the U.S. Senate race between Tommy Thompson and Tammy Baldwin, according to data compiled by the Federal Election Commission and analyzed by the Center for Responsive Politics (OpenSecrets.org).
The outside spending coupled with the candidates' own spending has combined to make this the most expensive U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin history.
Luxemburg-Casco political science teacher Cassidy McGowan says among other things, it makes it nearly impossible to turn on the TV without seeing a 'Tammy' or 'Tommy' ad.
Out of about 280 federal races, the amount of outside spending ranks the Wisconsin Senate race third, behind only the races for President and Virginia Senator.
But the influx of cash isn't translating into a clear-cut frontrunner.
"It's anybody's seat," says McGowan. "Obviously the person, Herb Kohl, vacating that seat is a Democrat but he could very well be replaced by Tommy Thompson."
We'll check back with McGowan in the coming days for his perspective on some of the other races of interest.
