Romney Spends $12 Per Vote, Santorum Just $3

Just how much does a Republican primary vote cost in ad spending? Depending on the candidate, it can vary quite a bit this election cycle.

How the ad spending breaks down:

___

MITT ROMNEY

Ad spending per vote: $12.70

Cost per delegate: $90,796

The GOP front-runner, Romney has seen more ad spending on his behalf than any of his GOP rivals. Much of that cash has come from Restore Our Future, a "super" political action committee backing his White House run. So far, the group has dropped $29 million in primary states, many times outspending Romney's own campaign, which paid for $15.8 million in ads. Based on his 495 delegate count as of Wednesday, the cost per delegate and cost per vote is higher than any of his primary challengers.

___

RICK SANTORUM

Ad spending per vote: $3.01

Cost per delegate: $28,944

The former Pennsylvania senator has secured big wins in Southern states like Alabama and Mississippi, but his delegate count lags Romney's, at 252. Despite recent victories that have at times shoved Romney out of the spotlight, Santorum's campaign by comparison has spent only $3.3 million on ads. The Red, White and Blue Fund super PAC working in his favor has contributed nearly $4 million more in pro-Santorum TV spots, including an ad buy Wednesday in Illinois. Santorum has the advantage cost-wise of a lean-and-mean operation, but that doesn't come without its pitfalls.

___

NEWT GINGRICH

Ad spending per vote: $4.78

Cost per delegate: $76,774

Facing calls by Santorum and his supporters to drop out since early last week, Gingrich has stayed in the race — defiant at times toward fellow candidates and the news media for doubting him. His small delegate count — 131 — mirrors only about $2.9 million in ad spending. And his campaign's continuation is due in part to $7.1 million in ads from Winning Our Future, a super PAC funded mostly by casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife.

___

The Associated Press review takes into account only television advertising spending, an important currency in swaying voters this election. The explosion of super PACs, made possible in part by federal court rulings in recent years, has increased the influence of spending by independent political groups. 

The AP's calculation was based upon data provided by media buyers, as well as final statewide vote tallies in Republican primaries and caucuses.