Senate candidates release campaign finance data

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen G. Pagliuca has already poured at least $1.8 million of his own fortune into his Democratic bid for the US Senate, according to new campaign finance reports.

Pagliuca, through September, had spent $1.4 million on the race, more than twice as much as the combined spending of his three major opponents in the Democratic primary.

The new finance reports, which all candidates for Senate were required to send to the Federal Election Commission by today, are the first detailed look at how the contenders are raising and spending money during the abbreviated campaign to fill the seat long held by Edward M. Kennedy, who died in August. A primary has been scheduled for Dec. 8; the final election is Jan. 19.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, who leads in the polls, spent less than $200,000 during the reporting period. City Year co-founder Alan Khazei has spent only $80,000 during the launch of his campaign, while US Representative Michael Capuano has spent nearly $380,000 so far.

State Senator Scott Brown, of Wrentham, the most prominent Republican candidate, reported spending about $19,350.