Independent groups post record spending in Calif. race for gov.

Expenditures by independent groups seeking to influence California's gubernatorial election broke records this cycle, according to the state's Fair Political Practices Commission. 

As of Oct. 11, a total of $20 million had been spent by more than 30 groups in support of Democrat Jerry Brown.

Republican Meg Whitman, meanwhile, saw only two groups spend a total of $1.3 million in her support. 

The three top independent contributors to Brown's campaign are the union-backed California Working Families for Jerry Brown, Concerned Educators for Jerry Brown, and Working Californians to Support Jerry Brown.

The last independent-expenditure record was set in 2006 when groups spent a total of $20 million on the race between Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democrat Phil Angelides.

The state also holds the country's personal spending record because of this election — Whitman has spent a total of $119 million on the race, beating New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who spent $109 million on his 2009 reelection campaign.