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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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GOP Donors Pour Millions Into Ga. Race

'Unbelievable' sum of money fuels runoff for Senate seat

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(Newser) – With Democrats just two seats away from mounting a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, GOP donors are injecting millions into Georgia’s runoff election, USA Today reports. Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss raised $1.6 million in large contributions in about a week, compared to $462,000 for Democrat Jim Martin. Chambliss also has pulled in $2.5 million the last few weeks from groups such as the NRA, about double Martin's haul from outside groups.

“The amount of money coming into this (race) is unbelievable,” said a non-partisan watchdog. “It almost makes me nostalgic for the days when we were a backwater election state.” Much of the money has been used to pay for negative TV ads. The Dec. 2 runoff, along with Minnesota’s ongoing recount, will determine if Democrats can block Republican-led filibusters.

Former Vice President Al Gore stumps for Senate candidate Jim Martin in Atlanta. Martin is locked in a Dec. 2 runoff with first-term Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
Former Vice President Al Gore stumps for Senate candidate Jim Martin in Atlanta. Martin is locked in a Dec. 2 runoff with first-term Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss.   (AP Photo/Stanley Leary)
Wayne LaPierre, an NRA executive, speaks at a conference with Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. Independent groups such as the NRA's PAC spent $2.5 million from Nov. 8-26 supporting Chambliss.
Wayne LaPierre, an NRA executive, speaks at a conference with Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. Independent groups such as the NRA's PAC spent $2.5 million from Nov. 8-26 supporting Chambliss.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga, raised $1.6 million in large contributions from Nov. 13 through Nov. 21, compared with $462,000 for Democratic challenger Jim Martin.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga, raised $1.6 million in large contributions from Nov. 13 through Nov. 21, compared with $462,000 for Democratic challenger Jim Martin.   (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga, center, laughs with his wife Julianne, right, as they listen to speakers during a rally Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Duluth, Ga.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga, center, laughs with his wife Julianne, right, as they listen to speakers during a rally Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Duluth, Ga.   (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
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