So what is so unusual, or wrong, about an outside interest trying to influence an election?

There is a lot of buzz that the Russians tried to move the American presidential election in some particular direction. Not sure which direction, but only that they did.
This is regarded as wrong. Outsiders should not get involved in our politics!
In a local election, Georgia 6, the following was reported by the NYT-
“Most of the itemized contributions to Mr. Ossoff were from large Democratic states like California and New York. Just 14 percent came from Georgia, compared with 56 percent of Ms. Handel’s contributions.”
Which means that an outsider is trying to influence a local election.
Is this equally wrong? Or is it somehow OK in this case?
What is the principle that disguishes the two?