Michgan and Wisconsin see high fundraising totals for PACs and outside groups

Two Network partner groups have recently released reports showing current fundraising and spending trends in their states. PACs in Michigan have been ramping up the fundraising, even if totals showed slight decreases from previous election cycles. In Wisconsin, with recall elections in full swing, interest groups have raised a considerable amount of money to spend on a few races, showing a large increase over elections in 2010.

Network partner Michigan Campaign Finance Network released a report showing that the top eight PACs in Michigan have raised $8.6 million in the 2011 calendar year so far. That figure is down 3.2% from last election cycle, and down 10.2% from 2008. The top fundraising PACs are the House Republican Campaign Committee, Senate Republican Campaign Committee, and House Democratic fund. Rounding out the top five are Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan PAC and Michigan Health and Hospital Association’s PAC. Download the report, entitled  at MCFN’s website.

Also, Network partner Wisconsin Democracy Campaign reports that registered interest groups have spent $12.5 million on recall elections in the state, while candidates themselves have spent just over $5 million. In the 2010 election, registered groups spent only $3.75 million for the full cycle. For candidate fundraising numbers in the recall election, visit this page on the WDC website, and for more information on outside expenditures, visit here.