Follow the Money: Campaign Finances for 1st Ward Candidates in Grand Rapids

Both of the 1st Ward Candidates in Grand Rapids have already submitted their campaign finance reports for the upcoming November 3rd election.

I will list the candidates in alphabetical order, as they appear on the ballot, will include the amount the raised, the amount they spent, the number of contributions, any relevant in kind contributions, contributions from out of state and the largest contributors to each candidate. Some of the data will be from the August Primary campaign finance reports, which I wrote about in late July.

Lindsey Perez-Plescher

According to campaign finance data from the Kent County Clerk’s office, Lindsey Perez-Plescher has raised $28,750 and has spent a total of $22,809.94. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/25889.PDF

For the most recent campaign finance report Perez-Plescher had 33 separate contributions, with one In Kind contribution from David LaGrand. There was also one out of state contributor, the IBEW PAC VOLUNTARY FUND, which contributed $500.

Here is a list of the larger contributions:

• Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters PAC – $5,000
• Kent County Democratic Party – $3,250
• Grand Rapids Firefighters Union PAC – $3,000
• Johnny Brann Jr. – $1,225
• Chelsea Brann – $1,225
• Michael Jandernoa – $1,225
• Brent Webster – $1,200
• Maria Webster – $1,200
• Michael Fassbender – $1,000
• Duncan Macleod – $1,000
• Tami Vandenberg – $1,000
• West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters and Service Trades Local Union 174 PAC – $1,000

What stands out in this list are two things. First, the Democratic Party gave a sizable contribution to a non-partisan race, plus the three unions listed also consistently give to the Democratic Party. The second issue is with the number of contributions from people who are CEOs and business owners, one of which are part of the Grand Rapids Power Structure – Michael Jandernoa. In addition, Jandernoa, Johnny and Chelsea Brann have a history of primarily contributing to the Republican Party.

Steve Tibbe

According to campaign finance data from the Kent County Clerk’s office, Steve Tibbe raised $24,181.22 and has spent a total of $11,331.76. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/25891.PDF

For the most recent campaign finance report Tibbe received 13 separate contributions, with no In Kind contributions and no out of state contributions.

Here is a list of the larger contributions:

• TGIF Victory Fund – $6,000
• Grand Rapids Police Officer’s Union – $5,000
• Realtors Political Action Committee of Michigan – $3,000
• The Greater Regional Alliance of Realtors (GRAR) – $2,500
• Ryan Wheeler – $1.250
• Kevin Toler – $1,030
• Tim Maclam – $1,000
• Steve Tibbe – $1,000

TGIF Victory Fund was founded by Dan Hibma, who is the husband of Terri Lynn Land has consistently funded GOP candidates. Like previous 1st ward candidates in recent years Tibbe received a sizable contribution from the police union, plus two different realtor groups and the CEO of a large development group in the person of Ryan Wheeler.

What is unfortunate about both candidates is that they received contributions from PACs and individuals that have a history of purchasing access to the Grand Rapids City Commission and influencing public policy, rarely for the benefit of the majority of those who call Grand Rapids home.