Michigan Legislators raised $6 million in 2009

According to a recent Press Release from the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, current Michigan legislators running for office raised nearly $6 million in 2009.

“Incumbent representatives raised $2,621,369 for their House campaign committees, and another $1,280,518 for new committees for higher offices, mostly State Senate. When transfers from the House accounts are subtracted from the totals for new committees, net fundraising by incumbent representatives totaled $3,587,946 for the year.

Incumbent senators raised $1,727,551 since their last reports and have now raised $4,329,326 for their Senate campaign accounts since they last faced they electorate in 2006. Of the 38 senators, 29 are term-limited and cannot run again for their Senate seat. Including fundraising for new committees for higher offices, the 38 incumbents have raised a net of $2,391,774 over calendar year 2010.”

West Michigan Representatives varied in the amount they raised as incumbents. Roy Schmidt had as a balance at the end of 2009 – ($40,325), Arlan Meekof ($29,601), Mary Valentine ($24,982) Dave Agema ($24,854), Robert Dean ($15,068), Justin Amash ($3,150), Dave Hildenbrand ($2,670), Kevin Green ($1.812), and Tom Pearce ($1,491).

State Senators from West Michigan had a balance in their budgets for campaign funds at the end of 2009, with Senator Mark Jansen having the most at ($40,595) and Senator Wayne Kuipers at ($17,267). Since Senator Bill Hardiman is term limited he only had $371 in his balance for 2009.

“Two things jump out of these reports,” said Rich Robinson of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. “First, a year is too long to go between fundraising reports by incumbent officeholders. Our legislators raised $6 million last year, and we shouldn’t have to wait a year to know it.”

“Secondly, when you look at the level of debt in the new campaign committees of aspiring candidates, and recognize that those figures are a reflection of self-funding, you have to wonder whether running for office is being priced out of the reach of persons of ordinary means.”