Murray-Rossi Race 3rd Highest in Spending

Independent groups have pumped $12.1 million into the race between Democratic incumbent Sen. Patty Murray and Republican challenger Dino Rossi in Washington — the 3rd highest amount among all 37 Senate races.

Only the Colorado and Pennsylvania races have had more independent expenditures than Washington, according to a tally from the Center for Responsive Politics reported by the Seattle Times.

Murray received $5.2 million, and Rossi got $6.9 million — including $2.6 million from Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, a group linked to GOP strategist Karl Rove.