LINCOLN- A six-figure bill at the end of a legislative race may be the new normal in the Nebraska Unicameral. Out of the 25 legislative races in November, at least one candidate in 19/25 of the races spent over $100,000. Together, these candidates raised about $6.7 million and spent $6.5 million to run for the Legislature. In four races, combined candidate spending exceeded $550,000.

The costliest races came between State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington and challenger Lou Ann Goding, where the candidates spent a combined $577,434, and between State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha and challenger Christian Mirch, where the candidates spent $554,933 in all. The next costliest race involved State Sen. Mike Jacobson and challenger Chris Bruns, both of North Platte. Together they spent $552,529. Jacobson spent the most of any legislative candidate statewide, more than $414,000.

The only other race where the top spender did not win was in District 40, an open seat after State Sen. Tim Gragert opted not to run for re-election. Keith Kube of Crofton spent $162,623 and lost to now-State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, who spent $64,269. State Sen. Christy Armendariz and Michael Young in northwest Omaha had the narrowest gap in spending between candidates, at $6,707.

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