Iowa nonprofit tops spending in U.S. House elections

An Iowa nonprofit that does not need to disclose the its donor list is the biggest spender in any U.S. House race in Iowa this year.

The Des Moines Register says that a nonprofit organization that doesn't have to say where it gets its money is the biggest spender in any U.S. House race in Iowa this year.

The newspaper reports that Iowa-based American Future Fund has spent almost $8.9 million this election cycle. That includes more than $1 million, mostly on television ads, to criticize Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley in his race against newcomer Ben Lange.

American Future Fund was started three years ago by Nick Ryan of Des Moines.

The 32-year-old Ryan managed former U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle's unsuccessful bid for governor in 2006 and his group advocates conservative, free-market views.

Iowa Falls renewable energy executive Bruce Rastetter says he provided seed money to American Future Fund but won't say how much.