The 2002 election proved to be the most expensive election in Iowa history. An analysis by the group “Money and Politics Iowa” found the 330 candidates who ran for Congress, for the state Legislature and for other state offices raised 46 million dollars for their 2002 races, Money and Politics Iowa executive director Joan Lucas calls that a “stagge ring” number. Governor Vilsack and challenger Doug Gross raised 13 million; Senator Tom Harkin and challenger Greg Ganske raised 11-and-a-half million. Candidates for the 150 seats in the Iowa Legislature raised over eight-and-a-half million.
