In country's most expensive Senate race, Pat Toomey, Katie McGinty each raise $5 million more

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) and Democratic challenger Katie McGinty, already locked in the country's most expensive Senate race, each raised around $5 million more last quarter as they head into the homestretch neck-and-neck.

Toomey announced Thursday that he had raised $5 million from July through September, a day after McGinty's campaign said she brought in slightly more -- $5.2 million -- in the same period, her best showing yet.

Each drew about $1.1 million more from joint fund-raising with their state parties.

The candidates did not report how much they spent, or how much each has left on hand for the race's final weeks. Those figures are due in mid-October. Toomey had a $5.3 million cash advantage as of their last reports, on June 30, but both sides have spent heavily since then.

The money will help fuel a final dash to the finish line in a nationally-watched race that could help decide control of the Senate, and that is drawing a flood of money from independent interest groups.

Super PACs and other outside groups have spent roughly $61 million supporting or attacking Toomey and McGinty according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political spending. The candidates themselves have poured in around $20 million.

The $81 million total is significantly larger than the country's next most expensive Senate race, in New Hampshire, where the candidates and independent groups have spent $64 million.

You can follow Tamari on Twitter or email him at [email protected].