Campaign finance filings with the government now show that the cost of the 2012 U.S. presidential race has surpassed $2 billion, a new record.

President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney after the debate
President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney after the Frorida debate. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)
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The new tallies released Thursday, which include nearly $86 million in fundraising by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in the election's final weeks, boosted the total campaign haul over the $2 billion mark.

The campaign's record-breaking expenditures on media ads were fueled by eye-popping amounts donated to "super" political action committees, including at least $95 million supporting Romney and other Republicans that came from a billionaire Las Vegas casino magnate.

Casino owner Sheldon Adelson and his wife gave $23 million to a super PAC headed by GOP strategist Karl Rove and $10 million to a pro-Romney political committee in recent weeks.

 

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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