| BIG $$$$ TO RUN | |
| The cost of running for office spirals higher. Here are total amounts legislative candidates reported spending since 1990. More money flowed to the parties starting in the mid-1990s, after the state limited contributions to individuals to $500. | |
| 1990 | |
| total: | $20,096,682 |
| 1992 | |
| total: | $23,147,720 |
| 1994 | |
| total: | $21,548,422 |
| 1996 | |
| legislators: | $28,757,434 |
| parties: | $20,002,157 |
| total: | $48,759,591 |
| 1998 | |
| legislators: | $26,607,665 |
| parties: | $43,615,819 |
| total: | $70,223,484 |
| 2000 | |
| legislators: | $44,849,491 |
| parties: | $73,582,252 |
| total: | $118,431,743 |
| 2002 | |
| legislators: | $37,811,990 |
| parties: | $84,588,800 |
| total: | $122,400,790 |
| Source: Division of Elections | |