From TV ads to flyers at your door, to unsolicited phone calls, campaigns in Nebraska unloaded millions to try to secure your vote for the 2021-22 election cycle. "What we know from talking to campaign consultants is that political advertisements work," said Randy Adkins, the senior associate dean of the social sciences at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. "But they're probably not the most effective method of campaigning. The most effective method is a candidate meeting individual voters."KETV Investigates looked into detailed contribution and expenditure reports for Nebraska statewide and local races, political parties, ballot questions, and PACs. We found about $42.2 million was raised during this gubernatorial election cycle and $50.6 million was spent. With voter turnout at 681,569 in Nebraska, the money spent per voter is about $74. Looking closer at the money raised, more than half - $26.8 million — was for candidate races. And the biggest chunk was for Republican gubernatorial candidates. Nebraska's biggest contributors are not surprisingly some of its wealthiest families. According to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, Charles Herbster contributed $11.8 million during the cycle. About 99% went to his failed "Herbster for Nebraska" political campaign. Two $50,000 contributions went to Nebraska First and Save Nebraska PACs. The largest other donation was $7,500 to the Lancaster County Republican Party in March 2022. Records show the Ricketts family personally contributed about $5.2 million this election cycle. More than half, $2.9 million came from Gov. Pete Ricketts, $2.1 million from Marlene Ricketts, and $265,000 from Joe Ricketts. "I believe we ought to elect conservatives because conservatives are going to enact the best policies for our nation," Ricketts told KETV. "I believe it. That's why I contribute." Of the 79 total donations, 13 were at least six figures and 71 were from Ricketts. Here's a list of the six-figure donations: Marlene Ricketts: $1.5 million to Citizens for Voter IDGov. Ricketts: $775,000 to Conservative NebraskaGov. Ricketts: $500,000 to Conservative NebraskaMarlene Ricketts: $376,000 to Citizens for Voter IDGov. Ricketts: $314,000 to Nebraska Future Action FundGov. Ricketts: $235,000 to Nebraska Republican PartyGov. Ricketts: $150,000 to Nebraska Future Action FundMarlene Ricketts: $115,000 to Nebraska Republican PartyJoe Ricketts: $115,000 to Nebraska Republican PartyGov. Ricketts: $100,000 to Citizens for Voter IDMarlene Ricketts: $100,000 to Conservative NebraskaJoe Ricketts: $100,000 to Conservative NebraskaGov. Ricketts: $100,000 to Jim Pillen for GovernorGov. Ricketts also made numerous $10,000 donations to various candidates across the state. "My family has been very generous with a number of candidates, not only in Nebraska, but governors and senators across this country," Ricketts said. "We believe we should elect conservatives because that'll be best for our country."While federal elections didn't factor into KETV's state contributions data, a check of the Federal Elections Commission shows Ricketts also contributed $1.45 million to various federal races and PACs across the country during the 2021-22 election cycle. That includes donations to the campaigns for Republicans Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Adrian Smith, and Rep. Mike Flood. "I think you'd see this in other states," Adkins said. "The thing that makes it unusual here is it's the governor's family. Because it's the governor's family it comes under greater scrutiny. The good thing — it's all above board. It's reported."Jim Pillen was the fourth highest contributor, giving $1 million to his own campaign, and loaning another $500,000. The top Democratic donor was Nebraska Regent Barbara Weitz.Now that the election is over, campaigns have several options on what to do with the funds. They can let it sit or transfer it to another campaign, donate to a charity, give to a Nebraska state agency, or refund contributors as long as it's not more than initially contributed.