Walker-recall fight totaled at $81 million

— The tab on this year’s unsuccessful bid to oust Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker came to almost $81 million, more than double the amount spent on any previous single race in the state, according to a report by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

Walker and Republican groups supporting him spent $58.7 million, compared with the $22 million Democratic challenger Tom Barrett and his allies paid, the report said.

The advocacy group that tracks political finance, based in Madison, Wis., reviewed campaign-finance reports, television-advertising buys and outside electioneering activity such as direct-mail and radio ads to arrive at the total recall cost.

Walker’s campaign spent $36.1 million on the recall, more than three times what he invested in his 2010 election, the report shows.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 07/26/2012

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