The race to win the South Carolina Republican primary election saw the Republican candidates pour millions into advertising for their campaigns in the Palmetto state.
The total combined advertising spending by all of the candidates including Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry was a total of $13 million, MSNBC reports. The advertising spending data was found by Smart Media Group Delta, an ad tracking firm that combined with NBC to provide the spending totals.
Surprisingly, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and the Super PACs that support him outspent rival candidate Newt Gingrich leading up to the South Carolina Republican primary election. Even though a pro Newt Gingrich Super PAC created a 28 minute video about Mr. Romney and Bain Capital, Mr. Romney and his Super PACs outspent Mr. Gingrich by more than $2 million.
The Bain Capital co-founder’s presidential campaign spent a total of $1.9 million advertising in South Carolina. The two biggest pro Romney Super PACs, Restore Our Future, and Citizens for a Working America combined spent more than $2.7 million in advertising.
Mr. Gingrich and the Super PAC that supports him, Winning Our Future spent a combined $2.4 million. Winning Our Future actually outspent Mr. Gingrich’s campaign. The pro Gingrich Super PAC received a $5 million check from Las Vegas casino boss Sheldon Adelson prior to the South Carolina election. Mr. Adelson is planning to donate more money to the Super PAC as the campaign rolls on, The Washington Post reports.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum was looking for a top tier finish in South Carolina after a surprising come from behind victory in Iowa and a fourth place finish in New Hampshire. The heavy evangelical Christian voter presence in South Carolina was thought to be welcoming for him. Mr. Santorum and the pro Santorum Super PAC Red White and Blue Fund spent a combined $1.7 million in South Carolina.
Texas congressman Ron Paul and the pro Ron Paul Super PAC Santa Rita spent a combined $1.7 million advertising in South Carolina.
All of the Republican presidential candidates have expressed their dismay with campaign finance laws that have allowed Super PACs to become huge influences on the campaign. However, as the rules aren’t changing any time soon, they seem to have embraced their presence in the 2012 Republican primary race.
