The all-time record for political spending in Minnesota is the 2008 U.S. Senate race between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman. The two main candidates in that race, along with primary opponents, spent a record $51 million combined, with another $24 million in outside spending. “I think the Senate race will probably be the most expensive race in state campaign history,” says Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier. Schier says both parties could eventually see Minnesota as a key to which party controls the Senate next year. Minnesota hasn’t elected a Republican to the Senate since 2002.