Topeka ? Democratic candidate Kathleen Sebelius is spending more money than any other gubernatorial candidate in Kansas history, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday.

Sebelius out-raised her Republican opponent, Tim Shallenburger, $2.2 million to $1.5 million for the period from July 26 through Oct. 24.

With money she had left over from the previous reporting period, in which she faced no primary opponent, Sebelius had $3.5 million on hand, and had spent a record $3.2 million. Shallenburger, who won a four-man primary on Aug. 6, had $1.5 million on hand and spent $1.3 million.

The previous Kansas gubernatorial campaign spending record, $2.6 million, was set by Gov. Bill Graves when he ran for re-election in 1998.

According to the spending reports, both Sebelius and Shallenburger had at least roughly $200,000 in the bank heading into the final stretch before the Nov. 5 election.

The lengthy finance reports, the last that will be disclosed before the election, also showed that both Shallenburger and Sebelius were reeling in bags of money from their respective political parties.

Shallenburger received about $600,000 from national and state Republican groups $400,000 from the Republican National State Election Committee, and $200,000 from the Kansas Republican Party.

Sebelius received more than $500,000 from the Democratic National Committee and about $150,000 in-kind contributions from the state Democratic Party.

Sebelius received dozens of $2,000 contributions from labor and women’s groups usually associated with the Democratic Party. She even received $1,000 from singer Barbra Streisand. Sebelius also received $550 from a high-ranking official in the Graves administration Clyde Graeber, who is secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Shallenburger received support from insurance companies, cigarette makers and even $2,000 from the Kansas City Chiefs political action committee.

Shallenburger spokesman Alan Cobb conceded there was a correlation between Sebelius’ lead in the polls and the amount of money she had spent.

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But, he said, as the election draws nearer, it’s grass roots and not dollar support that makes the difference.

“The money is certainly a core part of the campaign, but not the only important part,” he said.

And he did not seem at all impressed with the results Sebelius’ spending had garnered.

“She should have a much better lead than she does,” Cobb said. “I’m not sure where all her money has gone.”

Sebelius spokesman Nicole Corcoran-Basso said the Sebelius campaign was grateful for the contributions it received.

“We’re very proud of the support people have shown for Kathleen,” she said.

In other hotly-contested races, Republican attorney general candidate Phill Kline led Democrat Chris Biggs in raising funds and spending.

Kline had raised $335,000, with an additional $52,000 on hand from the last period when he won a three-man primary. He spent $308,000.

Biggs had a total amount of $141,000 in contributions and spent $133,000.

The battle over abortion rights also can be seen in the attorney general’s race. Kline, an opponent of abortion, received $2,000 from the Kansas City Regional Kansans for Life PAC, while Biggs received $1,000 from the Pro Kan Do PAC, which is headed by abortion doctor George Tiller of Wichita. Kline also received $2,000 from the National Rifle Assn. PAC, while Biggs received $2,000 from the Kansas National Education Assn.

In the treasurer’s race, Republican Lynn Jenkins had spent $263,000 to $47,000 for Democrat Sally Finney.

In the secretary of state’s race, incumbent Ron Thornburgh had spent $60,000 to Democrat David Haley’s $2,000.

Staff writer Leita Walker contributed to this story.