WASHINGTON: Six billion dollars. That’s how much money has been blown to influence the US election race that reached the finish line with Tuesday’s vote.

Raising six-figure sums at parties with Hollywood czars and hedge fund tycoons or small double-digit offerings via smartphone apps, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and Congressional candidates have smashed records for campaign spending.

According to an estimate by the Centre for Responsive politics, the two White House rivals spent $2.6 billion between them by election day.

Obama trumped his Republican rival in individual contributions, by late October raising $645 million to $413 million.

But the CRP had Romney ahead when all other spending in support of him was considered, from political action committees and other groups pitching for the candidates indirectly.—AFP