TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Facing a tough reelection race in Kansas, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly raised more cash last year, spent more money and entered this year with more funds than her presumed Republican opponent.

Campaign finance reports filed Monday by the campaigns for Kelly and Attorney General Derek Schmidt suggest that their contest could be unusually expensive for Kansas. Their reports covered last year.

Schmidt claimed to set an off-year record for fundraising by a Republican candidate for governor, though his figure was short of the $2 million then-Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius rais...