Report: GOP's Snyder raised most in gubernatorial race

Majority of Snyder's funds from own pocket

Republican gubernatorial candidate and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder spent more than seven times the amount of money as Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero leading up to the Aug. 3 primary election, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State Thursday.

Snyder raised more than $8 million, including about $6 million from his own bank account, and he spent about $7.5 million.

Bernero spent about $1 million, nearly all of the money he raised.

Snyder’s campaign pockets might be deeper, but Bernero believes his message will win the November election, spokesman Cullen Schwarz said.

“We expect that Mr. Snyder to again, in the general election, to reach into his pocket and (pull out) millions of dollars and we expect that we will be outspent,” Schwarz said. “Elections are about more than just money. People are passionate about the way (Bernero) fights for people and small businesses on Main Street.”

Snyder hopes to spread his campaign message, and will spend as much or as little money as is necessary to do so, spokesman Bill Nowling said.

“We’re going to run a competitve campaign, and we’re going to have the resources to get our message out,” Nowling said. “We’re going to spend as much as we need to spend.”