Cost of Pa.â??s U.S. Senate race about $40M

HARRISBURG — The race for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania cost about $40 million, ending in the re-election of Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey for a second six-year term.

The campaigns released information Thursday. Casey beat his better-financed but lesser-known Republican challenger, Tom Smith, 54 percent to 45 percent.

Almost $30 million of the total amount was spent after July 1. Smith spent almost $21 million, mostly his own money. Casey spent about $12.5 million in the two-year campaign cycle.