Self-financed candidates often biggest donors in state races

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The biggest donors in state-level elections last year were often self-financed candidates. Here are some of those who topped the money lists:

Bruce Rauner - venture capitalist; Republican candidate for Illinois governor; put more than $14 million into his campaign. He won.

Thomas Wolf - business executive and former state official; Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania governor; put at least $10 million into his campaign. He won.

Christine Jones - former Internet company executive; candidate for Arizona governor; put $5.4 million into her Republican primary campaign. She lost.

Mary Burke - former bicycle company executive; Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor; gave $5 million to her campaign. She lost.

Tom Ervin - attorney and former circuit court judge; independent candidate for South Carolina governor; put at least $3.8 million into his campaign. He withdrew a week before the election.

Source: Campaign finance analysis by the Center for Public Integrity. The numbers are based on the available data from mid-January and all contributions may not be reflected, due to differing reporting deadlines.