Democratic 2nd Congressional District candidate Emily Cain raised more and spent less than Republican Bruce Poliquin in the first half of October, but she had a smaller war chest going into the race’s homestretch.

Candidates in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat running for governor, filed reports documenting fundraising and spending from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15 with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday, the last full look at the campaign’s books before Nov. 4.

Cain, an Orono state senator, raised $152,000 to Poliquin’s $99,000 during that period, spending $299,000 to his $400,000. However, he had $371,000 left in his budget to Cain’s $257,000, a difference of more than $113,000.

That’s down from his $300,000 cash-on-hand lead on Cain at September’s end, but he remains in a more comfortable financial situation approaching the election.

That can be explained by two main factors: his frugality and his wealth. Poliquin pays a smaller cadre of consultants and staffers, keeping administrative costs lower than those of Cain’s campaign; but the former state treasurer from Oakland has given or loaned his campaign a total of $341,000.

Outside groups played big roles in this final financial push from the candidates. Poliquin raised $37,000 from political action committees and other groups, while Cain got $22,000.

Notably, Poliquin got $5,000 from a PAC run by Koch Industries, a multinational industrial corporation run by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch, who pour millions into supporting Republican causes and are top bogeymen for Democrats. Cain got $5,000 from insurance interests.

Together, the candidates have raised nearly $3.3 million, attracting more than $2 million in outside spending. By both measures, that’s the most in any Maine congressional race since 2000 and probably ever, according to data going back 14 years from the Center for Responsive Politics.

That’s an indicator of a close race. A Critical Insights poll of nearly 300 voters released earlier this month week put Poliquin five points ahead of Cain with 16 percent of voters undecided.

“As a small businessman and the only job creator in this race, Bruce understands how important it is to watch the bottom line,” said Matt Hutson, Poliquin’s campaign manager, in a statement. “Once again, Bruce has managed to maintain a competitive advantage going into the final two weeks of the campaign.”

But Cain’s campaign said she has momentum in the electorate.

“The support we’ve received from our grass-roots donors has been incredible,” said Levi Knapp, her campaign manager, in a statement. “With their help, Cain for Congress has outraised Bruce Poliquin throughout this campaign.”

Michael Shepherd — 370-7652

mshepherd@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @mikeshepherdme