Democratic candidates for governor submitted their first fundraising reports Tuesday, in an early indication of support for the crowded field looking to take on Gov. Scott Walker.

Several of the nine top tier Democrats dipped into their own pockets to help finance their campaigns last year. Competing for the same donors in a field with no clear front-runner creates an unusual dynamic for Democrats as they try to take on Walker, who has a nationwide base of financial support.

Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik spent more than any other Democrat so far on his race — tapping $450,000 of his own money in a contribution that's not a loan that can be repaid later. That was the vast majority of the $554,000 he raised for the year. Gronik, who is running his first race for office, was also spending money rapidly, ending December with just shy of $98,000 cash on hand.

Gronik made the $450,000 payment despite telling The Associated Press in July when he launched his campaign that he wouldn't tap his personal wealth to finance it.

"I think that self-funding political campaigns is wrong," Gronik said then. "I think it makes you your own special interest and that's not where I'm coming from."

Republicans were quick to recirculate that quote Tuesday.

"So much for @andygronik not self-funding," Walker campaign adviser Brian Reisinger said on Twitter.

Gronik's campaign spokesman Brandon Weathersby did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rep. Dana Wachs, a trial attorney from Eau Claire, loaned his campaign $235,000, nearly half of the $514,000 he raised. He had just over $163,000 cash on hand entering this year.

Former Democratic Party chairman Matt Flynn brought in $350,000, which includes a $40,000 loan of his own money. But unlike Gronik and Wachs, Flynn was more frugal with his spending, ending the year with nearly $305,000 cash on hand.

State firefighter union leader Mahlon Mitchell, of Madison, raised nearly $310,000 over seven weeks since he joined the race. Mitchell had $242,000 cash on hand.

Former state Rep. Kelda Roys, of Madison, entered the race just 18 days before the filing deadline and was able to raise more than $163,000. She did not immediately return a message asking whether she spent any of her own money so far. Roys had $151,000 cash on hand.

Political activist Mike McCabe says he raised $104,000 through the end of the year, bolstered by $25,000 in loans from himself and his wife. He's refusing to accept any donations more than $200.

Other Democrats running who had not yet filed as of Tuesday morning include state Superintendent Tony Evers and Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, of Alma. Madison Mayor Paul Soglin officially entered the race in January, after the current fundraising reporting period.

Walker had also not yet filed his report, which was due by midnight Tuesday.

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Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sbauerAP