• October 30, 2012

Looks likes both the national Republicans and Democrats are giving up on Maine’s senate election, and taking their ad dollars elsewhere, reports the Bangor Daily News. The shifts seem to be a concession that Angus King, the independent candidate and former governor, is a sure winner in next week’s election. It says that Republicans haven’t reported spending since Oct. 5, and the Democrats since Oct. 19.

The race, with King vying for the spot vacated by moderate Republican Olympia Snowe, has been highly controversial, drawing some $7 million in ad dollars from outsiders. Crossroads GPS, the group founded by former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove, is still advertising in the state, and the Bangor Daily News says it has invested $344,000 in a second ad attacking King. So far, it has spent $667,000 on the six-way Maine Senate contest.

King’s backers include New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Various polls show King leading Republican Charlie Summers by 24%, 12% and 4%.