Political spending hit new heights in governor's race

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Sanford raised 52 percent of the money, but was outspent by Hodges.

Six Republicans defeated in the June primary and runoff elections for governor raised and spent another $4.79 million, for a total of $19.5 million, state Ethics Commission reports showed.

Four years earlier, then Republican Gov. David Beasley and Hodges spent just under $10 million, 50 percent less.

Hodges and Sanford each spent approximately three of every four dollars on producing and airing television ads.

"It's a big jump, but as long as you have to have more and more money to go on the air (with ads), it's not going to change," said Bruce Ransom, a Clemson University political scientist who was a top aide to New Jersey Gov. James Florio in the 1990s.

Ransom said Sanford's late surge to overtake Hodges' huge lead in fund-raising mirrored his surge in the polls and, ultimately, in the Nov. 5 election.

The huge increase in gubernatorial fund-raising is part of the national trend in which costly television advertising has supplanted the old shoe-leather, handshaking campaigns of the recent past, said John Crangle, executive director of the state chapter of Common Cause. The organization promotes reforms to diminish the impact of money in political campaigns.

Crangle said the cost explosion runs down the ballot as well.

"When I came here 17 years ago, a $50,000 state Senate race or a $10,000 House race were extraordinary," he said. "Now, it's hundreds of thousands for the Senate and a $100,000 for the House."

Common Cause is seeking federal legislation to require broadcast outlets to provide free air time to candidates as a means of lowering the profile of money in politics.

In ousting incumbent Hodges, Sanford took in contributions of $7.66 million and spent $7.15 million, $5.6 million of it related to broadcast advertising.

Hodges reported donations totaling $7.07 million and expenditures of $7.78 million, a feat made possible by the approximately $800,000 surplus with which he ended the 1998 campaign. His year-end report did not list cumulative spending amounts.

He spent $1.49 million on advertising from Oct. 10 through the election while Sanford spent $1.93 million on ads.

Sanford raised $688,099 in the final quarter to Hodges' $202,458.

The figures were smaller, but reflected the $3 million Sanford raised from June 1 through Oct. 10 to pull ahead of Hodges who raised $1 million for the period.

Neither candidate reported debts or loans.

Sanford began his administration with $507,234 in unspent funds, Hodges, $96,347.

As is typical for winners, Sanford took in tens of thousands of dollars after the election, $50,900 in his case. Hodges reported no post-election donations.

Large amounts also were spent by the also-rans in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

Topping the list were former Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler who raised $2.58 million and ended the campaign with $375,000 in unpaid bank loans and former Attorney General Charlie Condon who took in $1.33 million to run third in money and votes.

Dan Hoover covers politics and can be reached at 298-4883.