In three of Connecticut’s hottest races — governor to Congress — those with enough cash to win the war of the airwaves were able to win on Election Day.

Republican Gov. John G. Rowland, who won a historic third term last week, far outspent his opponent, Democrat Bill Curry, on TV spots.

Rowland’s media budget, which included TV time, production costs and direct mail, was more than $3 million, said Nuala Forde, a campaign spokeswoman. Curry spent about $425,000 on TV ads.

For Rowland, the investment was not a record-breaker. In 1998, when he faced former U.S. Rep. Barbara B. Kennelly, Rowland’s campaign spent roughly the same amount on TV ads. However, four years ago, they decided to run ads earlier. By June of 1998, Rowland had already aired three spots.

–Associated Press