AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine organization that tracks campaign spending says legislative candidates in November’s elections were outspent by outside groups making independent expenditures, the first time that’s ever happened in Maine.

Maine Citizens for Clean Elections says legislatives candidates spent just over $3.4 million on their 2012 races, but that political action committees, political parties and other entities operating independently of the candidates spent nearly $3.6 million in those same races.

Executive Director Andrew Bossie says the increase in outside money spent on Maine campaigns is a “troubling trend” and shows that outside interests are exerting more influence over campaigns than the candidates themselves.

Maine Citizens for Clean Elections Maine Citizens advocates for increased public funding for campaigns.