(Reuters) - Mitt Romney's presidential campaign had $25.7 million left in the bank days after the November 6 election that ended months of relentless fundraising in the most expensive race in U.S. history, new campaign finance disclosures showed on Thursday.
President Barack Obama, a Democrat, defeated the Republican candidate following a campaign that cost more than $2 billion overall.
Obama's re-election effort had $14.2 million left as of November 26, according to the Federal Election Commission disclosures.
Leftover campaign cash is common and often goes to the national party or other candidates.
The Romney campaign on Thursday said every raised dollar had gone toward Romney's run and that it "continues to process invoices for pre-election expenses." It expected to have less than $1 million by the end of the year.
"It is not uncommon. It is of course a great risk," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics that tracks campaign finance. "As a loser you want to make sure you've given it your all."
Obama and Romney both spent much of their campaign cash on voter outreach and especially advertising. But the Democrat and his "Super PAC" backers at Priorities USA Action, an unlimited-spending group, held an early advertising game advantage.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/07/us-usa-campaign-money-idUSBRE8B605420121207
