A Democratic Party-aligned group has infused close to $9 million in new spending into the Maine governor’s race, though the money isn’t expected to be spent until after the primary.

Pine Tree State Prosperity, which is affiliated with the Democratic Governors Association, recently booked $8.74 million in broadcast and cable advertising in Maine, according to new data from AdImpact, a political advertising tracker.

The ads are set to air between Sept. 8 and Nov. 3.

“We’re committed to electing a Democratic governor in Maine this fall and ensuring that voters know what is at stake in this race,” said Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Kevin Donohoe. “With the leading Republicans running to bring Donald Trump’s chaos to Augusta, having a Democrat in the Blaine House has never been more important.”

The money represents a hefty sum for the governor’s race and gives Democrats a big boost. It’s similar to the $9 million a DGA-backed entity, Better Maine, poured into Maine during the 2022 governor’s race.

Republicans to date have had an advantage in outside spending, with the Restoration of America PAC having spent more than $3 million in support of candidate Garrett Mason.

The group is funded by national Republican donors Richard Uihlein and Thomas Klingenstein.

The next biggest outside spenders in the race so far have been Maine Dream PAC, which supports Republican Jonathan Bush and has spent $600,000, and the Working Mainers First PAC, which supports Democrat Troy Jackson and has spent $250,000.

Candidates from both parties have a little more than a month to go until the June 9 primary. There are seven Republicans and five Democrats running to replace Gov. Janet Mills, who is term-limited and recently ended her campaign in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

The general election is likely to feature at least one independent, state Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford, a former Maine GOP chairman who recently unenrolled as a Republican.