The money behind the candidates in Michigan – Part II: West MI State Races

Last week, in Part I of this series, we looked at the major campaign contributors to all of the candidates running for Governor in 2022. Today, we want to look at incumbents and candidates for the Michigan Senate and House races in West Michigan.

Senator Winnie Brinks – incumbent – Here are the top campaign contributors to Brinks, who represents the 29th District in Michigan.

Next Era Energy PAC – $1,500

Bob Vanstright – $1,000

Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters – $1,000

Michigan Professional Fire Fighters – $1,000

Ruth Spagnuolo – $1,000

Ford Motor Company – $1,000

Jeff Cranson – $500

Phil Skaggs – Will be running for a State House seat based on the redistricting commission map. His top contributors are:

Committee to Elect Phil Skaggs – transferred assets – $17,601.93

Phil Skaggs – $13,000

For Our Futures Fund – $50

Rep. Tommy Brann – Incumbent – Brann is currently the State Representative for the 77th District. His top campaign contributors for the most recent quarter are:

Michigan State Police Troopers Association – $1,000

Michigan Community College Association – $250

Michigan Licensed Beverage Association PAC – $250

Michigan Bank PAC – $250

Great Lakes Education Project – $250

Friends of West Michigan Business – $150

David LaGrand – Incumbent – LaGrand is currently the State Representative for the 75th District. His top campaign contributors for this quarter are:

Grand Rapids FireFighters Union PAC – $5,000

Michigan Laborers Political League PAC – $2,500

Sid Jansma (Wolverine Gas & Oil)  – $1,050

Stephanies Changemaker Fund – $1,000

Robert Vanstright – $1,000

Karen Vanstright – $1,000

Jon Bylsma (Attorney Varnum) – $1,000

Bruce Bartel – $1,000

Kevin Toler (Hill Island Financial) – $1,000

DTE Political Action Committee – $500

John Hunting – $500

Rachel Hood – Incumbent – Hood is currently the State Representative for the 76th District. Her top campaign contributors for this quarter are:

Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters – $1,000

DTE Energy PAC – $500

Delta PAC – $250

Kellogg Better Government Committee – $250

Thomas Albert – Incumbent – Albert is current the State Representative for the 86th District. His top campaign contributors for this quarter are:

Michigan Values Leadership Fund II – $10,000

Albert Majority Fund – $10,000

Building Experience NOW PAC – $5,000

Comcast Co. and NBC Universal PAC – $2,500

United Parcel Service Inc. PAC – $1,000

Mark Huizenga – Incumbent – Huizenga is currently the State Representative for the 74th District. His top campaign contributors for this quarter are:

Compete Michigan PAC – $5,000

CMS Energy Employees PAC – $1,000

MI Pediatric Action Society PAC – $250

Bryan Posthumus – Incumbent – Posthumus is currently the State Representative for the 73rd District. His top campaign contributors for this quarter are:

Wentworth Majority Fund – $5,000

Wentworth Majority Fund 2 – $5,000

John Kennedy (CEO Autocam) – $1,050

Michael Jandernoa (42 North Partners) – $1,000

Mcalvey Merchant PAC – $600

Farm Bureau PAC – $600

CMS Energy PAC – $500

Steve Johnson – Incumbent – Johnson is currently the State Representative for the 72nd District. His top campaign contributors for this quarter are:

Michigan Credit Union League PAC – $1,000

Blue Cross Blue Shield MI PAC – $500

Association of Builders and Contractors PAC – $500

Michigan Retailers Association PAC – $500

National Federation of Independent Business MI PAC – $250

For all of these candidates, the amount of campaign contributions will rise significantly as we grow closer to the 2022 Elections. We will continue to track the campaign finances, because to truly understand politics, you should always follow the money!