The candidates and special interests vying for victory in the special election in House District 90 have spent more than $300,000 collectively, according to documents filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

moneyThe race to fill the southeastern Iowa district of Democrat John Whitaker has become the focus of the Republican Party of Iowa, the Iowa Democratic Party and activist groups of all political persuasions. Despite the fact that its outcome will have no bearing on control of the legislature, it is thought that the winning side will gain much needed momentum going into the 2010 elections.

Republican Steve Burgmeier raised $60,101. His campaign has spent more than $40,000 and has received in-kind donations, mostly direct mail pieces from the Republican Party of Iowa, totaling more than $77,000. His biggest contributors include $15,000 from the RPI, $10,000 from tax watchdog Iowans for Tax Relief and $10,000 from a political action committee associated with U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.

Democrat Curt Hanson has raised $42,881. His campaign has spent $27,651 and received nearly $129,000 of in-kind donations, mostly mailing paid for by the Iowa Democratic Party. His biggest donations came from numerous labor organizations.

Republicans were also assisted by the anti-gay marriage group National Organization for Marriage, which spent nearly $90,000 on a television advertising campaign. Gay-rights group One Iowa has also been highly involved in the race, although their financial commitment is not yet known.

Both candidates have said they support a vote on a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.