Campaign finance reports from Michigan’s 2010 gubernatorial candidates submitted Monday to the Secretary of State indicate fundraising isn’t as difficult as expected, experts said.
Three candidates have raised more than $1 million. However, one of these candidates, Democrat Lt. Gov. John Cherry, who had raised $1.36 million total, dropped out of the race in early January citing fundraising concerns. Before his exit, Cherry was considered the Democratic front-runner.
Ann Arbor businessman and Republican candidate Rick Snyder is the top fundraiser with $3.3 million total. Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is considered the Republican front-runner and reported raising $1.83 million.
“We are very pleased with the amount of support Rick is getting,” Snyder’s spokesman Jake Suski said. “We have over 1,000 donors so far.”
Suski said Snyder contributed $2.6 million of his own money to his campaign. Snyder’s campaign plans to air their first advertisement during the Super Bowl on Sunday, Suski said.
Raising more than $1 million at this stage of the campaign is a significant amount given Michigan’s economic climate, said Steve Mitchell, president of East Lansing-based Mitchell Research and Communications Inc.
“The numbers are less than you saw eight years ago when the economy was better,” Mitchell said. “Those who raised pretty good amounts of money did a good amount of fundraising and showed it could be done in this climate.”
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, a Republican candidate, raised $888,149. Bouchard’s spokeswoman Kathryn Martin said the campaign officials will continue to raise funds.
“Considering Michigan’s economic climate, we are more than excited,” she said. “The response we have received — we have exceeded expectations.”
Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, reported raising $475,806 and state Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo reported $199,791.
State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township, is the only Democrat who has formally announced a campaign and has raised $36,245. Since Cherry’s exit, more people have invested in her campaign, she said.
“There are a lot of people interested in my race,” she said.
“Since Cherry pulled out we have done much better. … People who had been supporting with a few hundred dollars have come back and doubled or tripled (donations).”
Potential Democratic candidates who have not officially announced campaigns include House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township; Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero; MSU Trustee George Perles; former Flint Mayor Don Williamson; and Detroit businesswoman Denise Ilitch.
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