It's a midterm election for the record books. The Center for Responsive Politics says candidates have spent $5.2 billion dollars on these midterms. That shatters the previous record set just two years ago, by almost a billion dollars.

"I do think we can read a lot of this as a Democratic response to the Trump Administration and Republicans having control of all branches of government at this juncture. Typically, it is the part that's out of power that is a little bit more mobilized," said Jacob Neiheisel, a UB Political Science Associate Professor.

Political experts say the money is coming from all over.

"The McMurray-Collins race is really a microcosm of what's going on all across the country. We see a lot of money coming into that race from outside. On McMurray's side it's going to be small dollar donors and on Collins' side, it's PAC money," said Neiheisel.

Len Lenihan, a Former Erie County Election Commissioner said, "This year, you have this plethora of grassroots people, people sending in $25, $50. In the McMurray race, he's got like 7,000 donors that have given him $50. So you're talking about a lot more participation. People, the average citizen out there, working everyday trying to build their community and their family chipping in. And that reduces the influence of corporate money. It reduces the influence special interests and helps the people. I think it's a good thing."

As for where that money's being used, Neiheisel said, "The parties stopped doing quite so much in the efforts of persuading voters and have put lots and lots of effort into mobilizing their base."