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How does a campaign spend $1 million?

No one said mayoral campaigns are cheap. Anthony H. Williams and James Kenney have each spent at least $1 million. We break down how each campaign spent the money.

No one said mayoral campaigns are cheap.

Anthony H. Williams and James Kenney have each spent at least $1 million (Lynne Abraham was just under $1 million) as of May 8 when the most recent campaign finance reports were due. Williams and Kenney each raised $1.3 million between January and May 4. The candidates have since raised and spent some more money but we won't know full details until after the election.

Here is a breakdown of how each of the two $1 million-plus campaigns spent their money:

TV buys: 63% ($673,118)

Payroll: 12% ($131,960)

Consulting (includes polling and research): 12% ($124,478)

Print and digital media: 3% ($36,415)

GOTV and political donations: 2% ($23,775)

(The rest of the money was spent on typical campaign expenses, such as rent, office supplies, fundraisers.)

Williams ($1.1 million spent):

TV buys: 40% ($460,251)

Payroll: 20% ($224,094)

Consulting (includes polling and research): 18% ($210,544)

Print and digital media: 3% ($34,875)

GOTV and political donations: less than 1% ($6,137)

(The rest of the money was spent on typical campaign expenses, such as rent, office supplies, fundraisers.)

Who was wiser with their spending? As my colleague Chris Brennan said in his column today --  which looks at how the independent expenditure political groups have outspent both campaigns -- we'll see. Polls close in less than 27 hours.

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