As we always say here, it's important to follow the money. And now Iowans can see who exactly is giving to candidates in the state. The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board has launched an online searchable database of campaign contributions to candidates running for state office. Now instead of tediously pouring over pages and pages of spreadsheets, you can easily find how much money candidates are raking in from big donors. Click here to check it out. While it's a littly clunky for my taste, it's a step in the right direction. For a one stop shop for state-level campaign contributions from across the country, don't forget about the Institute on Money in State Politics.
