U.S. Senate and Governor’s Race TV Buys Dominated by Outside Money

Outside groups have drastically outspent the candidate campaigns for competitive statewide races relative to television advertising according to data released this week by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

In the U.S. Senate race between Congressman Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Hills) and former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, the numbers are the most significant. Ms. Land’s campaign has spent $3.95 million on television while outside groups, such as Americans for Prosperity and others, have spent $8 million in ads attacking Congressman Peters. Similarly, outside groups supporting Congressman Peters have spent $5.7 million while the Peters’ campaign itself has spent $1.3 million.

In the gubernatorial race, Democratic challenger Mark Schauer has spent $823,000 on TV ads while outside groups have spent $5.6 million on his behalf. Governor Snyder’s campaign has spent $1.4 million while $3 million has been spent by outside groups.

Insofar as campaign finance reports filed this week are concerned, Governor Snyder showed a financial advantage over Mr. Schauer. The post-primary report covers expenditures and fundraising for July 21^st – August 25^th.

Governor Snyder reported $2.864 million total cash on-hand having raised $651,000 for the recent period. In total, the Governor has raised $9.991 million during the election cycle.

Mr. Schauer reported $514,000 raised during the period, with $40,000 of that coming from public funds. The Schauer campaign has raised a total of $3.9 million for the cycle, with an additional $953,000 coming in public funds.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 5, 2014 9:58 AM
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GOP, Dem Candidates Split in Fundraising Advantage for Senate Seats

Campaign finance reports filed this week showed a mixed bag for GOP and Democratic candidates for competitive State Senate seats.

In the 25^th District where Senator Phil Pavlov (R-St. Claire) is fighting off challenger State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Pavlov holds a significant cash on-hand advantage heading into the last couple of months of the campaign. Representative Brown reported $32,008 on-hand compared to the incumbent’s $137,990.

The 31^st Senate District, while competitive in years past, appears to be a foregone conclusion if one examines finance reports alone. Incumbent Senator Mike Green (R-Mayville) has $133,132 on-hand after having to spend over $200,000 in the GOP primary to fight off a challenge from State Representative Kevin Daley (R-Lum). Senator Green’s opponent in the general election, Democrat Ron Mindykowski, reported $8,364 in cash on-hand.

To the west, incumbent Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) is fighting off a challenge from Oceana County Road Commissioner Cathy Forbes who the Democrats are touting as a formidable opponent. Senator Hansen, though, has outperformed Ms. Forbes in funds raised, funds spent, and current cash on-hand. Senator Hansen has raised $321,388 for the cycle and has $254,452 on-hand while Ms. Forbes has raised $88,630 total and has $8,355 on-hand.

Democrats have much to cheer about as Dem candidates have posted financial advantages in three competitive seats heading into the last two months of the campaign.

In the 7^th Senate District, incumbent Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township) reported only $27,742 cash on-hand compared to Democratic challenger State Representative Dian Slavens (D-Canton Township) who reported $156,642. Rep. Slavens raised $40,190 during the recent filing period while Senator Colbeck raised $15,984.

State Representative Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw), fresh off a primary victory over Garnet Lewis, now faces former Republican State Representative Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) in the race to replace term-limited Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township) where she currently holds a financial advantage. Rep. Oakes raised an impressive $34,052 during the recent period, compared to Mr. Horn’s $1,600. Ms. Oakes has $113,071 cash on-hand and Mr. Horn has $75,949. Overall, Rep. Oakes has outraised Mr. Horn by roughly $50,000 ($240,851 vs. $191,495).

The most impressive numbers for a Democratic candidate, though, came in the newly drawn 20^th Senate District where State Representative Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) is running against fellow State Representative Margaret O’Brien (R-Portage). Representative McCann raised $43,170 for the period and $311,598 overall for the cycle compared to Rep. O’Brien’s $15,431 for the period and $189,268 for the cycle. Most significant perhaps is Rep. McCann’s cash-on hand advantage of $244,768 to $81,322 for Rep. O’Brien.

posted by PAA Online , 9:57 AM
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PAAdvisory Brief

MacMaster Abandons Write-in Effort

State Representative Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) has reportedly abandoned the idea of a write-in campaign for the 37^th Senate District this November following his defeat in the primary at the hands of State Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City). MacMaster has instead hinted at moving to radio broadcasting.

Campaign Finance Reports Show Incumbents in Control in the House

In those races considered competitive for seats in the State House of Representatives where incumbents are present, those incumbents have the fundraising advantage in all but one race according to reports filed late this week. The one exception is State Representative Ray Franz (R-Onekama) who, with $52,240 cash on hand trails Democratic challenger Thomas Stobie of Frankfurt who reported $57,843.

posted by PAA Online , 9:56 AM
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