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U.S. Rep. Justin Amash and competitor Brian Ellis report the state of their campaigns in a recent financial filing.

(AP Photo)

Grand Rapids businessman Brian Ellis and U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — More than a half million dollars has been poured into the race for Michigan's Third District, with U.S. Rep. Justin Amash raking in a majority of those dollars and ranking above his competitor and businessman Brian Ellis.

Amash, R-Cascade Township, raised a record $518,476 toward a bid for reelection, according to a campaign finance report for 2013's year-end quarter released in late January by the Federal Election Commission. Amash's campaign notes the two-term congressman ranks third behind House Speaker John Boehner and Chairman Paul Ryan in terms of individual donations overall.

The quarter covers the time from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2013, encompassing October's government shutdown and continued revelations of the National Security Agency's domestic spying programs.

Previously: Justin Amash rakes in donor dollars in recent campaign period as challenger steps up

"It was a phenomenal quarter," said Will Adams, Amash's spokesman. "Amash raised his profile both in fighting for smaller government and a more fiscally sustainable government."

He, too, credited donors giving to a December "money bomb" campaign. Donors gave, on average, $35 each, throughout the duration of the quarter, Adams said.

Ellis announced a bid for Amash's seat in October 2013 and is pleased with his campaign having one quarter under the belt. Filing show the Grand Rapids businessman having raised $307,532 in donations.

In addition, Ellis contributed $200,000 of his own wealth to his campaign, which has drawn a few chuckles from the Amash campaign.

Ellis shrugs off the criticism. He said he's running a campaign according to plan, adding he's not "deterred nor fazed" in his pursuit to unseat the congressman.

"It's my business background mentality," Ellis said. "I believe in investing in many things I do, and this is one of those things. I invest alongside other people who have faith in me and what I'm doing, and I'm putting my own money behind that."

Additional members of the wealthy DeVos family contributed to Amash, with Dick DeVos giving $2,600 toward his August primary campaign, filings show. An additional $2,600 toward the November general election maxes out how much DeVos can give.

Related: Amash, Huizenga rake in big bucks from corporate chiefs for 2014 election

Grand Rapids School Board member Natalie Bernecker, who replaced Ellis on the board, donated $2,600 to his primary campaign in addition to businessman Mark Bissell's $5,200 donation to be split among the two elections.

Although it's difficult for both candidates to predict how many donations will be received by the end of this current quarter, Ellis' filings indicate several big-name donors have maxed out how much they can contribute to his campaign. With Amash having many more individual donors, it might force Ellis to push harder with a grassroots campaign.

"It's not really about finding big donors or small donors. It's about meeting people and ... explaining why we're running and how we're being poorly represented (with Amash)," Ellis said.

Andrew Krietz covers breaking and general police/fire news for MLive | The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at akrietz@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.