Unions, business groups and Democratic groups have started gathering cash for the heated races for governor and the Minnesota House, according to the latest campaign finance disclosures.

In recent election cycles, outside groups' spending has trumped spending from the candidates themselves. From 2007 through last year, independent spending committees poured more than $53 million on the state's elections.

Many of the state's top spenders have yet to unleash their might. But, past on past spending, the cash crush will ramp up closer to Election Day.

Here's a look at some of this year's top independent powers numbers so far: