Detroit News editorial calls for improved campaign disclosure in Michigan

An editorial in the Detroit News highlights the findings of Network partners Justice at Stake and Brennan Center for Justice in their report, the New Politics of Judicial Elections, a portion of which focuses on state Supreme Court election spending in Michigan. The editorial also mentions Network partner Michigan Campaign Finance Network’s work on campaign disclosure.

The editorial points out that the $11 million spent on the Michigan Supreme Court in 2009-2010 accounts for over a quarter of all state Supreme Court spending for that election cycle. Additionally, while candidates spent $2.3 million themselves, party spending topped $4 million by the Republican Party and $1.5 million by the Democratic Party.

Additionally, television ads spent by independent groups topped $4 million, and the state Chamber of Commerce routed over $5 million to the national Republican Governors Association, which then funneled almost as much back into the Michigan Republican Party.

While Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has proposed some improvements to campaign finance disclosure, the editorial notes that she can do more. The editorial closes by saying: “Michigan shouldn’t have the dubious distinction of being a national leader in weak disclosure rules.