House Dem Incumbents, Challengers Dominate In Post Primary Filing Again
September 10, 2024
No incumbent House Democrat running for re-election in a competitive district has less cash on hand than their Republican challenger, according to new campaign finance documents turned into the Bureau of Elections Thursday.
On the other hand, there’s a 50/50 shot a Democratic challenger to an incumbent House Republican has more cash on hand going into September than their opponent.
The campaign finance numbers gathered by reporter Simon Schuster of Bridge Michigan paint another picture of individual House Democratic candidates, in many cases, far surpassing that of their Republican opponent.
For example:
– Of the 19 House incumbents and challengers who reported having at least $100,000 in cash on hand as of Aug. 26, 17 were Democrats and two were Republicans. The top seven were all Democrats.
– Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) continues to be the boss on the fundraising side, having raised more than a half million for her re-election bid and amassing $384,500 in cash on hand, more than $100,000 more than anyone else.
– Only four state House candidates raised more than $100,000 between July 22 and August 26. All four were Democrats – Coffia, Rep. Jaime Churches (D-Wyandotte), 46th District candidate Daniel Mahoney and 54th District candidate Shadia Martini.
– For the entire campaign cycle, starting Jan. 1, 2023, the top 11 House fundraisers are all Democrats – Coffia, Churches, Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette), Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Belleville), Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek), Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Grand Rapids), Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) and Martini.
– Of the 36 House candidates with campaign debt of more than $12,001, only four are Republicans.
Democratic challengers sitting on more money than their Republican opponent as of Aug. 26 include Janise O’Neill Robinson ($155,957) over Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown) ($37,966) in the 28th, Kyle Wright ($17,131) over Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton) ($9,390) in the 29th, Mahoney ($159,159) over Rep. Kathy Schmaltz (R-Jackson) ($85,424) in the 46th, Martini ($222,956) over Rep. Donni Steele (R-Lake Orion) ($96,342) in the 54th, and Rudy Howard ($21,667 over Beson $11,720) in the 96th.
Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter
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