Republicans outraise Democrats by 56% in Michigan Senate races
Campaign finance requirements govern how much money candidates may receive from individuals and organizations, how often they must report those contributions, and how much individuals, organizations, and political entities may contribute to campaigns.
While campaign finance is not the only factor in electoral outcomes, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages during a campaign. Fundraising can also indicate party momentum.
This article lists top fundraisers in the Michigan State Senate, overall and by party. It is based on campaign finance reports that officeholders in and candidates for the State Senate submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State. It includes activity between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
Top fundraisers in the Michigan State Senate by party
The top fundraisers in Michigan State Senate elections are shown below. Individuals are presented with the office that they are on the ballot for in 2022, if applicable.
In the Democratic Party, the top fundraisers were:
Stephanie Chang – $229,515Jim Ananich – $164,945Sean McCann (District 19) – $159,274Curtis Hertel – $155,450Winnie Brinks – $154,900
In the Republican Party, the top fundraisers were:
Aric Nesbitt – $572,540Mark Huizenga – $249,490Roger Hauck (District 34) – $221,875Curt VanderWall – $205,650TC Clements (District 16) – $181,415
Fundraising totals
Overall, Democratic officeholders and candidates raised $2.12 million in this period. Republican officeholders and candidates raised $3.78 million. Combined, all State Senate fundraisers in the January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021, filing period raised $5.90 million.
The five largest Democratic fundraisers were responsible for 41 percent of all Democratic State Senate fundraising. The five largest Republican fundraisers were responsible for 38 percent of all Republican State Senate fundraising.
The table below provides additional data from the campaign finance reports from the top ten fundraisers during this period.
TOP TEN FUNDRAISERS – MICHIGAN STATE SENATE (January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021)
Name Party Affiliation Raised Spent
Aric Nesbitt Republican Party $572,540 $154,005Mark Huizenga Republican Party $249,490 $312,486Stephanie Chang Democratic Party $229,515 $112,172Roger Hauck Republican Party $221,875 $154,095Curt VanderWall Republican Party $205,650 $165,576TC Clements Republican Party $181,415 $112,135Jim Ananich Democratic Party $164,945 $156,194Lana Theis Republican Party $161,445 $55,683Sean McCann Democratic Party $159,274 $41,445Curtis Hertel Democratic Party $155,450 $113,549
Campaign finance reporting periods
The data above are based on campaign finance reports that candidate PACs submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State. Candidate PACs represent individuals who have run for state or local office at any point, including past and present officeholders. This article does not include non-candidate PACs. In 2022, Transparency USA will publish campaign finance data after the following major reporting deadlines. State or federal law may require filers to submit additional reports.
Report Name Report Due Date
2022 Annual/January 1/31/20222022 April (PACs) 4/25/20222022 July (PACs) 7/25/20222022 Post-Primary 9/1/20222022 Pre-General 10/28/20232022 Post-General 12/8/2022
Disclaimer: This content is distributed by The Center Square
