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How much does it really cost to run for a House or Senate seat?
Total raised for 2010 election: $1.27 billion
House candidates: $706.8 million
Senate candidates: $568.1 million
Congressional incumbent reelection rate, 2008: 94%
Average spent by House race winners, 2008:
$1.4 million
Average raised by challengers, 2010: $166,000
Average raised by incumbents, 2010: $1 million
Average spent by Senate race winners, 2008:
$8.5 million
Average raised by challengers, 2010: $519,000
Average raised by incumbents, 2010: $9.4 million
