SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Former eBay chairwoman Meg Whitman, running for office for the first time, has put $39 million of her own money into her campaign fund, the Los Angeles Times reported. She has already spent $19 million, much of it on commercials.

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, also a multimillionaire and running against Whitman for the Republican nomination, has put $19.1 million into his campaign.

State Attorney General Jerry Brown, the presumed Democratic nominee, spent almost nothing in 2009 on his gubernatorial campaign, leaving him with $12.1 million in the kitty at the end of the year.

Bruce Cain, a political scientist at the University of California at Berkeley, said Whitman's spending has boosted her in the polls.

"Without that expenditure, she wouldn't be where she is right now", Cain said. "She's had a chance to define herself, before the negative ads start."

Brown, who has already served two terms as governor, remains an undeclared candidate, although he has no significant opposition in the Democratic primary, which is still four months away. Roger Salazar, an unpaid Brown adviser, said he is known for limiting campaign spending.

 BREAKING STORIES

Officials say ACORN facing bankruptcy

Allawi regains narrow lead in Iraqi voting

Obama to host Mexican President Calderon

Greece to reveal new tax regulations

Lawmaker calls for end to death penalty

More states trying to limit federal power

Sri Lanka general refutes charges

Italy's Berlusconi under another probe

Tea Party wins appeal on Menendez recall

DNC getting cash minus big donors

Opposition parties pick up Russian seats

Iraqi leader denies assassination attempt

Canada formalizes federal emergency plan

Turkish PM calls for unity with gypsies

Sarkozy's party second in elections voting

EU begins assessing Greek recovery plan

Boehner: GOP could capture House in Nov.

Russians flock to polls for elections

Centrists to Obama: Don't campaign for us

Protesters gather for Bangkok rally