2025 campaigns generate millions in spending despite a year outside elections

The year following a presidential election is typically the lowest point for voter action, but 2025 is not a typical off-year election.

Between competitive gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, the high-profile showdown for New York mayor that attracted much national attention, and California’s Proposition 50 ballot initiative in the bitter battle between President Donald Trump and Republicans versus Democrats over congressional redistricting, 2025 has been a hive of election activity.

This means that a lot of money has been invested in this year’s campaigns.

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New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill, right, and Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, on stage at the start of their second and final debate, October 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News Digital)

As of early October, New Jersey’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, had raised about $17.5 million, while his Republican rival Jack Cittarelli had raised $16.5 million. Sherrill, as of a month ago, had spent about $11 million on his campaign, while Ciattarelli was shelling out nearly $13 million.

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In Virginia, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, raised nearly $12 million in funds in October alone, while Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears raised $9.5 million last month.

Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, candidate for Virginia governor, left, and his Democratic rival, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger. (Pool/Getty Images)

In New York, where there are fundraising and spending limits, Democratic Party candidate Zohran Mamdani has raised nearly $17 million in public and private contributions, while independent candidate, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has raised $12.5 million and Republican Party candidate Curtis Sliwa has raised nearly $6 million.

Independent mayoral candidate former Governor Andrew Cuomo, left, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, center, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa participate in the second New York City mayoral debate at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, New York, October 22, 2025. (Hiroko Masuike/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

And none of those numbers include the tens of millions of dollars spent in all three races by outside groups, such as super PACs.

Meanwhile, the Prop 50 battle in California, the nation’s most populous state, has seen a surge in spending.

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks about the Election Rigging Response Act during a press conference August 14, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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A whopping $140 million was spent last month in the battle between Democrats and Republicans in left-leaning California to return control of congressional redistricting from the current nonpartisan commission to the Democratic-dominated Legislature.

The Yes forces on Proposition 50 raised nearly $100 million, vastly outpacing and outspending the No forces.