NASHVILLE (AP) — Republican Lamar Alexander's campaign spending in his bid to represent Tennessee in U.S. Senate for a third term now tops $8 million. By comparison, the former governor and two-time presidential candidate spent $4.5 million on his entire Senate bid in 2008.

Alexander in August defeated tea party-styled state Rep. Joe Carr by 9 percentage points, and now faces Democrat Gordon Ball in the general election.

Alexander reported raising about $660,000 in the third quarter and spending $1.5 million. He ended the period with $1.3 million on hand.

Ball loaned his campaign $1 million in the quarter and raised $138,000 from outside sources. He spent about $115,000 and had $1 million remaining.

Early voting for the Nov. 4 election runs through Oct. 30.