MCFN Report: Comparing 21st century Michigan gubernatorial primaries

A Michigan Campaign Finance Network report found the state gubernatorial primary candidates reported raising $18.9 million through Sept. 2, 2010.

Republican nominee Rick Snyder raised the most with $8,092,507. As of the August 23rd close of books, Democratic nominee Virg Bernero raised 6th most among the field of seven candidates with $1,152,783.

Candidates reported raising 28.3 percent more in 2010 than the same time period in 2002. This year’s total is only 57 percent of the $33.3 million amassed by Dick DeVos and Jennifer Granholm through the post-primary period in 2006.

Issue advertising, for which there is no campaign finance reporting, was a much bigger factor in the 2010 primary than previous years. Eight groups that aggregated funds from anonymous donors spent $4.6 million for television advertising prior to the primary election. Issue ads accounted for 40 percent of all television expenditures for the primaries, and 60 percent of all television spending in the critical Detroit media market in the last month before Election Day.

Public Funding

• Total through August 2010 - $653,990
• Total in 2006 - N/A
• Total in 2002 - $2,725,391