SAN DIEGO -- The race for the 50th Congressional District seat previously held by Republican Randy "Duke" Cunningham is among the most expensive in the country.

An analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group that analyzes campaign spending, shows that those running for the seat have collectively raised nearly $1.9 million, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

That puts this House race at No. 14 on the center's "Top 15" list of high-cost elections, according to the Union-Tribune.

The report said that Francine Busby, D-Cardiff, has received more than $520,000 in contributions while Poway Republican Alan Kurt Uke has raised more than $420,000, the bulk of it from himself, the newspaper reported.

Candidates for the 50th have so far shelled out a collective $1.3 million for the potential privilege of representing voters in the district. That number puts the race for the 50th at the list's No. 9 spot in a separate category for spending, according to the newspaper.

Spot No. 1 for spending was claimed by candidates to the north, who collectively have spent $3.6 million as they jockey to replace former Rep. Chris Cox, R-Newport Beach, who President Bush appointed chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the newspaper reported.

Eleven Republicans, two Democrats and one Libertarian are competing in the April 11 special election that could determine who finishes the remainder of Cunningham's term, though a June runoff is possible. A November election will determine who wins the seat for a full two-year term.

Cunningham resigned after pleading guilty to taking bribes from defense contractors.