(AP) Groups lining up for November's special election filed campaign statements showing large amounts of cash have already been raised and spent during the first half of the year — raising expectations that records could fall before the campaign is over.

The fundraising was led by the nation's biggest pharmaceutical companies who contributed more than $37 million during the first half of 2005, according to numbers released Monday. They hope to defeat a measure requiring prescription drug discounts and hope to pass a measure calling for a voluntary discount program. ...

The fact that big dollars have already been raised and spent indicates to some observers that the fall election could be among the most expensive ever in California.