Follow the Money: Who is funding the Grand Rapids 1st and 3rd Ward City Candidates?

So far GRIID has done posts about campaign finances for the GRPS Board of Education Candidates and the Grand Rapids Mayoral Race. Today, I want to look at who is funding the 1st and 3rd Ward candidates for the Grand Rapids City Commission.

Alicia Marie Belchak has raised a total of $11,101, compared to her opponent Dean Pacific, who has raised $86,543.66, according to the most recent filings for both candidates. Belchak has received a total of 116 separate contributions, while Pacific has received 153.

Here is the top donors to candidates running for the 1st Ward GR Commissioner seat:

Alicia Marie Belchak:

• Climate Cabinet PAC – $2000 
• Michigan League of Conservation Voters – $1000 
• Kent County Democratic Party – $550
• Arti Patel – $500
• Tami Vandenberg – $500

Dean Pacific:

• Grand Rapids Police Officer’s Association PAC – $12,500 
• Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce PAC – $12,250
• Grand Rapids Firefighters Union PAC – $2,500
• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $1400
• John Brann – $1225
• Johnny Brann – $1,225
• Christian Meyer – $1,225
• Richelle Krueger – $1,225
• Thomas Krueger – $1,225
• Timothy Schowalter: Pioneer Construction – $1,225
• Sidney Jansma: Wolverine Oil & Gas – $1,225
• Joan Secchia – $1,225
• Mark Murray – $1,225
• Mike VanGessel: CEO Rockford Construction – $1,225
• Kevin Polakovich – $1,225
• Kristin Polakovich – $1,225
• Daniel Meyering: CEO Trillium Investments – $1,225
• Madolyn Bryant – $1,225
• Charlie Secchia: President of SIBSCO – $1,225
• J.C. Huizenga: Huizenga Group – $1,225
• John Kennedy: CEO Autocam Medical – $1,225
• Nancy Kennedy – $1,225
• Mark Bissell: CEO Bissell Inc. – $1,225
• Michael Jandernoa: $1,225
• Blake Krueger – $1,225
• Mary Krueger – $1,225
• Sandra Brann – $1,225
• Thomas Brann – $1,225
• Jim Williams – $1,200
• Janet Pacific – $1,000
• Frederick Pacific – $1,000
• Thomas Bylenga – $1,000
• William Brennan – $1000 
• Doug Young – $1000
• Rick Baker: CEO of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce – $500

Clearly, Pacific has raised more money with lots of $1000 plus contributors. In addition, there are numerous people who are part of the Grand Rapids Power Structure, along with the police union and the GR Chamber of Commerce, all of which want to see Pacific become the next 1st Ward candidate.

In the 3rd ward race, Bing Goei has raised a total of $64,862.66, compared to Marshall Kilgore, who has raised $32,725.37.  Bing Goei has received a total of 59 separate campaign contributions, compared to Marshall Kilgore, who received 223. 

Here are the top contributors to both of the 3rd Ward candidates:

Bing Goei

• Bing Goei – $41,000 
• Jim Williams – $2400
• Marlin Feyen – $1000
• Manoj Mulki – $1000
• Saleem Usmani – $700

Marshall Kilgore

• Climate Cabinet PAC – $35000 
• Progressive Women’s Alliance of West MI PAC-  $3000
• Grand Rapids Professional Firefighters Local 366 – $3000 
• Conservation Voters of Michigan PAC – $1500
• Construction Laborers Local 355 – $1500
• West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters and Service Trades Local – $1250
• Nick Gumina – $1225

While Kilgores campaign has generated more individual contributors, the Goei campaign has largely been self-funded. 

As is the case with the 1st Ward race, will all have to wait and see about the outcome of the election for the two open sets on the Grand Rapids City Commission, but there are clearly substantial gaps between the two candidates with larger war chests and those with smaller war chests.