WASHINGTON (AP) -- Both political parties assumed millions of dollar in debts in the waning days of the congressional campaign as the election intensified and the prospects of a power shift became more apparent.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is trying to pay off a $10 million debt and the National Republican Senatorial Campaign is more than $1 million in the red. Other party committees also were expected to report various levels of debt in documents to be filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission.

It's not unusual for parties to end an election cycle in debt -- in 2004, the DCCC and the NRSC finished the year in a deficit. But the spending by the political parties in this election was a record for a midterm election, a testament to the number of competitive contests and the political power struggle at stake.