Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark
Schauer has submitted a request to the Secretary of State’s office for public
funding for the primary portion of his bid to become Michigan’s Governor.
What this means for Mr. Schauer is that,
although he is not expected to have any serious primary opposition from other
Democrats, he will only be allowed to spent $2 million through the August 5th
Primary date. Further, he must raise a minimum of $75,000 in contributions of
$100 or less from Michigan citizens to qualify.
Mr. Schauer will receive matching
contributions from the state for any contribution up to $100 for a maximum of
$990,000.
The $2 million spending limit would no longer
apply if Governor Snyder’s campaign receives more than $340,000 in
contributions from himself or his family. Governor Snyder, spent $6 million of
his own money in 2010.
Both parties used the filings to spin
messages to their advantage. Republicans claim the request for public funding
clearly means the Schauer campaign is already failing and struggling with
fundraising; while Democrats claim that the request shows that Schauer is more
like average Michiganders.