Brown, Whitman Set Election Spending Record

Oct. 12: California gubernatorial candidates Democrat Jerry Brown, right, and Republican Meg Whitman, left, shake hands during a debate at Dominican University of California in San Rafael, Calif. Combined, Brown and Whitman have hit record spending at more than $188.1 million in both the primary and general election. (AP)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California's political watchdog agency says the gubernatorial campaign between Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown has become the most expensive general election race in state history.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission on Friday reported the candidates have spent nearly $87.5 million combined since July 1, about three weeks after the June primary.

The bulk of that spending has come from Whitman, a billionaire and former eBay chief executive.

She has spent $142 million of her own money in her first run for office.

Combined, Brown and Whitman have spent more than $188.1 million so far in both the primary and general election.

The previous record, $80 million for a general election, was set in 2002 when Democrat Gov. Gray Davis successfully ran for re-election against Republican Bill Simon.