Business, labor groups spent big in 2012 cycle on ad wars for Senate control

Business groups and unions have spent millions of dollars during the 2012 election cycle in a proxy war for control of the Senate. Trade associations and labor groups have opened their war chests in an attempt to sway Senate contests in presidential battlegrounds like Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records on independent expenditures. Most of the business and industry spending has been made in support of Republican candidates, while unions have dug deep to help Democrats retain their majority. Control of the Senate is seen as vital to the legislative agendas on both sides, regardless of whether President Obama or Mitt Romney takes the oath of office in January.