Here's another sign that the emergence of the Internet has raised fundraising expectations enormously for Congressional races all across the country.

The latest fundraising figures from Maine show that the two candidates have already made this the most expensive Senate race in state history -- and there are more than six months left to go.

Incumbent Susan Collins (R) raised over $960,00 in the first quarter of 2008, with $5.52 million raised overall and $4.51 million in cash-on-hand. Congressman Tom Allen (D) took in $700,000 for the first quarter, with $3.7 million raised in total and $2.7 million cash-on-hand.

As much as Allen has raised, it might not be enough to topple the incumbent, however: Collins holds a double-digit lead in all polls taken so far.