# US midterms near record $12bn cost as cost of living soars

https://mins.news/en/item/127443

- Al Jazeera, 2026-11-03 15:40 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/3/how-us-midterms-have-cost-a-record-12bn-as-cost-of-living-soars?traffic_source=rss

> Candidates and outside political groups have spent nearly $12bn on the US midterms, which are on track to become the most expensive in history, according to OpenSecrets. Elon Musk has given Republicans $445m, campaign finance records show. Critics say the spending gives wealthy donors, corporations and special-interest groups outsized influence over candidates and policy choices.

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