If the money being spent is any indication, it appears the local Senate race between Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center, and Republican challenger Jane Jech of Marshalltown is important to both parties. More than $200,000 has been spent this campaign in the District 36 race according to the recent campaign finance report.
Sodders has spent $151,564 and has $9,315 cash on hand and Jech has spent $52,919 and has $20,303 cash on hand. Sodders has raised a total of $160,879 in the campaign with Jech collecting $73,233.
"I think it's been overwhelming support from many different groups and people," Sodders said of his lead in fundraising.
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Jech
The bulk of the money spent by the Sodders campaign has gone to the Iowa Senate Majority Fund, as $140,000 was spent to the fund in three separate payments since August. Sodders said the majority fund handles his media placement, mailings, postage and other campaign activities.
Jech said she was happy that much of her financial support has come from within the district.
"I'm really pleased with the support I've received within the Senate district," Jech said. "I think it shows they can count on me."
Fact Box
Campaign finances
Senate District 36
Jane Jech
Total raised - $73,233
Expenditures - $52,919
Cash on hand - $20,303
Steve Sodders
Total raised - $160,879
Expenditures - $151,564
Cash on hand - $9,315
Iowa House District 71
Allen Burt
Total raised - $46,425
Expenditures - $27,897
Cash on hand - $18,528
Mark Smith
Total raised - $85,813
Expenditures - $34,890
Cash on hand - $50,923
Jech said she is not deterred that her opponent has raised more than double the money, as she plans to earn the votes of the people.
The other legislative race in Marshalltown - the District 71 House race between incumbent Rep. Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown, and Republican Allen Burt of Marshalltown - is seeing far less money flying around.
Smith has spent $34,890 and has $50,923 cash on hand and Burt has spent $27,897 and has $18,528 cash on hand. As far as total money raised in the campaign, Smith has collected $85,813 and Burt has garnered $46,425.
Smith said he plans to use the money for his campaign as effectively as possible and said his lead in money is reflective of his experience as a legislator. With 16 days until the election, Smith said he has plans for the $50,923 left to spend.
"I'll be doing media and voter outreach in the final phases," Smith said.
Burt said the campaign is not going to come down to money.
"It's all going to come down to the votes," Burt said. "It's all going to come down to how hard we work and I've worked hard."