Political candidates, committees tally election spending

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico political candidates and committees are disclosing how much money they spent in the final days of November election contests that gave Democrats majority control of the Legislature and the Secretary of State's Office. The deadline for campaign finance statements arrives Thursday evening and will provide the public with final tallies for political fundraising and expenditures during the 2016 election cycle. Political committees in particular unleashed a stream of negative advertising this year in the most competitive legislative races. Two candidates for Secretary of State spend more than $1 million, as Democrat Maggie Toulouse Oliver defeated Republican Nora Espinoza to become the state's top elections regulator. Campaign contribution limits are increasing slightly. Individuals can give up to $5,500 per election toward statewide candidates and $2,500 to legislative candidates.