Michigan Campaign Finance Network reports detail campaign spending
The Michigan Campaign Finance Network released three reports over the past week relating to the state’s campaign finances, including political action committee fundraising, amounts raised by legislative candidates and how much gubernatorial candidates have raised.
RGA’s $4M leads record PAC fundraising
The Republican Governors Association established a Michigan state political action committee last December and it has ascended to the top of the list of state PACs with its latest filing. The Republican Governors Association Michigan 2010 PAC has taken in $4,162,586 since April, and so far this election cycle it has raised 150 percent more than the second most successful fundraising PAC, the House Democratic Fund.
“It’s clear that the wealthy and the interest groups are going to be heard loudly this campaign season,” said Rich Robinson of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. “It’s about time that we develop policies in this state that encourage participation of small donors, as well.”
Read the full report here.
Legislative candidates have raised $17.4M for primaries
The field of 663 primary election candidates for the Michigan Legislature report having raised $17.4 million through July 18, according to reports on file with the Bureau of Elections.
Reported fundraising by House candidates is down by 2.4 percent compared to 2008, $8,227,034 to $8,426,216. House fundraising, however, is up by 13.1 percent compared to 2006, when primary candidates for the House raised $7.3 million.
Reported fundraising by Senate candidates currently totals $9,190,142. That is up 1.7 percent compared to 2006.
Senate candidates have accumulated $2,267,569 in debt, so far.
Gubernatorial candidates have raised $16.2 M
Michigan’s active gubernatorial candidates have raised $16.2 million through July 18, the end of the Pre-primary Election reporting period, according to reports filed with the Bureau of Elections.
Overall, the Republicans have topped the Democrats in fundraising by a wide margin, $14 million to $2.2 million.
