Funding race ramps up in Iowa's 4th Congressional District

New financial disclosures show the candidates in western Iowa's 4th Congressional District are succeeding in raising lots of campaign cash and are making the money chase competitive.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Steve King on Monday said his campaign had raised $450,000 in the first quarter of this year, and King said he has more than $800,000 of cash in the bank.

Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack said she raised more than $400,000 in the first three months of 2012 and has more than $900,000 of cash on hand. The numbers were released in advance of an April 15 deadline for filing campaign finance reports.

The new numbers mean King has raised just over $1.2 million for his campaign, while Vilsack has raised just over $1.5 million. That's the toughest financial challenge Democrats have been able to pose for King, who is seeking his sixth term.

Both rivals sought to put the best face on the financial race for the Republican-leaning congressional district.

"Our campaign's momentum continues to build," said King, who said he's traveled the district heavily and gotten a clear message from voters.

"Iowans are tired of government overreach and burdensome regulation," said King. "I will continue to be their voice in Washington against big government and massive debt."

Vilsack, a former Iowa first lady who is married to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, said the backing she's getting comes largely because she's demonstrated the ability to work with a wide variety of groups.

"Too many in Congress have forgotten how to work together to solve the problems in front of us," said Vilsack. "I'm humbled by having the support of so many Iowans who know that I will be a dedicated voice for the 4th District and work to build layers of economic opportunity in our small towns and cities."

Iowa lost a seat in Congress during the last redistricting because of stagnant population growth, and has now just four districts.

The 4th District is the most heavily Republican, though it does include some Democratic counties such as Story, Webster and Boone.

New voter registration numbers released by state election officials show the 4th District has 175,895 registered Republicans and 129,442 registered Democrats. One number that gives Vilsack some hope is an additional 174,106 voters in the district are registered without declaring a party preference.

At the same time as he announced his fundraising numbers, King said he was adding to his campaign staff. King said he's hired Jimmy Centers as the communications director for his campaign operation.

Centers was a regional field director for Gov. Terry Branstad's successful gubernatorial campaign and has worked in the governor's communications office since he took office in January of 2011.