Candidates Spent 9% More in 1984

WASHINGTON — Candidates spent a record $374 million on 1984 congressional races, up 9.3% over 1982 elections, the Federal Election Commission reported Wednesday.

The $32-million increase was attributed to expensive Senate races, including North Carolina Republican Sen. Jesse Helms’ hard-fought victory over former Democratic Gov. James Hunt.

Senate races cost $170.5 million, up from $138.4 million.

In the House, overall spending dropped slightly to $203.6 million.

“There were more incumbent (House) candidates involved in ‘safe’ seats . . . . than in previous elections,” the FEC said. The biggest spenders in the Senate races were: Helms, $16.5 million; freshman Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), $12.1 million; Hunt, $9.5 million; Phil Gramm (R-Tex.), $9.5 million.

In the House, the top spenders were: Andrew Stein, who lost to Rep. Bill Green (R-N.Y.) despite spending $1.8 million; Rep. James R. Jones (D-Okla.), $1.4 million; Green, $1.1 million; Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Buena Park), $1 million, and Rep. Ronald V. Dellums (D-Berkeley), $981,171.