HARTFORD (AP) — The executive director of the State Elections Enforcement Commission says a record 334 Connecticut candidates received public grants to fund their 2018 primary and general election campaigns.

That's more than the 294 who received grants in 2014, the last gubernatorial election year.

But Executive Director Michael Brandi says all the races this year added up to approximately $26.5 million in grants, compared with the $33.5 million allotted four years ago. The difference is mainly due to the fact the 2014 gubernatorial candidates who made it to the general election participated in the program.

This year, Democratic Gov.-elect Ned Lamont, Republican Bob Stefanowski and independent Oz Griebel did not seek funding from the Citizens Election Program, which provides grants to candidates who raise small increments of matching funds and agree to spending limits.