Officially the Biggest Spender

Jared Polis has cemented himself as the biggest spender in this election cycle, his near $3.7 million of personal contributions to his campaign to win the Second Congressional District seat topping all other self-financed candidates (in both congressional and senate races) through second quarter reporting.

That’s the reason you are seeing so many television spots featuring Polis, or bashing rival Joan Fitz-Gerald, the former state senator who was the first woman to serve as senate majority leader in Colorado.

Polis contributions, and hype for this race in general, have moved it to the second most expensive House race in the country this election cycle, being topped only by a district in Illinois.

More than $7.7 million has been raised in the three-way race for the Democratic nomination featuring Polis, Fitz-Gerald and conservationist Will Shafroth. And $5.4 million of that has already been spent.

It remains to be seen whether Polis cash will get him the nomination, which in this Boulder County-centered district basically guarantees a job in Washington.

Polis garnered an endorsement from us, meanwhile the underdog Shafroth won endorsements from both Denver’s major daily newspapers.

The primary is Aug. 12.