In two days, residents can finally open their mailboxes without a flood of political flyers tumbling out. The television ads will give way to Medicare pitches and Christmas toy commercials. But behind all that campaign noise lies a staggering amount of money.

Spotlight PA recently reported that legislative campaign committees spent $51 million between June and October, a record high for that period and far above the $36.5 million spent in 2024. The spending reflects what’s at stake as Democrats seek control of both legislative chambers and Republicans fight to maintain their foothold in Harrisburg.

The party is trying to expand its 103-100 majority in the state House and flip the state Senate, where Republicans have a 27-23 edge. With control of both the legislative and executive branches, Democrats would have the power to set the state’s policy agenda — from raising the minimum wage to sending more money to mass transit — with few impediments.

Democrats and Republicans in both legislative chambers each have their own committees that raise money for candidates and spend it on their behalf.

State House Democrats’ committee spent $20 million during the period examined. Its state Senate counterpart spent $12 million. The committee is focused on vulnerable Republican seats, sending money to challengers including Brian Wrightson in Lackawanna and Monroe counties and Mark Pinsley in Lehigh County.

The Senate Republican Campaign Committee has pushed nearly $10 million into protecting the party’s majority in the upper chamber. Maintaining control there is critical for Republicans to keep a voice in the state’s policy debates.

Imagine if some of that money could be poured into food pantries, affordable housing and other ways to help people.

Those millions of dollars help explain why national political figures are showing up in places like Carbon County during the campaign’s final days. Both parties understand that local votes matter.

On Friday night, U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson came to Lehighton in support of U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, the Republican incumbent.

Readers may notice that Times News generally avoids covering last-minute campaign rallies where both sides cannot be represented. Likewise, we do not publish candidate photos in the final weeks before an election unless equal treatment can be given to all candidates. Our focus remains on issues and candidate responses, not the campaigns.

For a primer on candidates see stories from last Wednesday through Saturday’s print editions or search our website by the candidates name.

Whatever you do, don’t get turned off by politics.

We can’t stress enough how important your vote is in this election.

The issue that touches nearly every household is affordability. Electric bills continue to rise. Gas prices remain a burden in rural communities where driving isn’t a choice. Grocery shoppers feel sticker shock every week. Halloween candy alone has risen dramatically in price over the past several years.

We’ve been hopelessly watching our electric bills rising and cringing every time we have to stop at the pump to fill our tanks.

Pennsylvania imposes one of the highest state-level fuel tax rates in the United States, typically ranked among the top 2 to 5 highest states nationwide. Combined with the federal gasoline tax (18 cents per gallon), motorists pay nearly 76 cents per gallon in total fixed taxes at the pump.

Tuesday’s election is about more than political ads, campaign rallies or party labels. It’s about the cost of living, taxes, data centers, housing, public safety and the direction of our communities.

Campaign billions aside, do the research to find the candidate who reflects your views and take the time Tuesday to cast your ballot. Whatever your political views, vote Tuesday. If you don’t participate, someone else will make those decisions for you.

MARTA GOUGER | mgouger@tnonline.com