North Carolina's usually low-profile mid-term primary election drew a record-shattering $2.5 million in spending for state-level races from corporate-funded outside groups unconnected to candidates' campaigns or political parties, with much of that money spent to influence a key state Supreme Court race.
Image Caption:
(Chart by Alex Kotch/Institute for Southern Studies. For a larger version, click <strong><a href="http://www.southernstudies.org/sites/default/files/hudsonchart_0.jpg">here</a></strong>.)