Super PAC spending tops $4M in governor’s race

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Dan Malloy and Tom Foley are getting by with a little help from their friends — and then some.

In the case of the Democratic incumbent Malloy, it’s two of the nation’s most powerful unions, which this week directed $1.25 million to a super PAC opposing Foley in the governor’s race.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) gave $900,000 to the group Connecticut Forward Wednesday in a bid to help Malloy stave off Foley’s challenge, new campaign filings show.

The American Federation of Teachers followed that up with a $250,000 contribution on Thursday, according to the state Elections Enforcement Commission.

Not to be outdone, the Republican Governors Association shifted another $800,000 also on Thursday to the rival super PAC known as Grow Connecticut to bring its total investment in the anti-Malloy fundraising conduit to $1.5 million.

Grow Connecticut dialed up another $218,000 in TV attack ads against Malloy, who has his hands full with his 2010 opponent Foley in a rematch.

The group is spending another $92,000 on radio ads assailing Malloy’s handling of the economy.

Connecticut Forward has already spent $1 million on TV ads and polling to try to help the first-term governor.

In contrast to Malloy and Foley, who are bound by spending limits because they are accepting public funds for their campaigns, super PACs can accept unlimited sums of money.

But they are not allowed to coordinate with the candidates under state election laws.

Neil Vigdor