Spending numbers for the most recent Presidential political campaign have been announced and they are astonishing. El Caribe reports that RD$438 million was spent on publicity during the campaign ? 6.2% more than the Central Electoral Board had approved in its budget. Hipolito Mejia, in his failed quest for re-election, spent RD$161 million from January to 16 May, and his PRD party spent an additional RD$8 million, adding up to nearly 40% of all moneys spent on political promotion. The PLD spent nearly 25% of the total funds to advance its candidate, Leonel Fernandez. The third-place PRSC party spent RD$94.5 million or 21% of the total.