Follow the Money: Campaign Finances for Grand Rapids City Comptroller is one of the more expensive races for a non-partisan seat

There are two people running for the Grand Rapids City Comptroller position that are on the ballot for the November 3rd election.

I will list the candidates in alphabetical order, as they appear on the ballot, will include the amount they 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.

David Bulkowski

According to campaign finance data from the Kent County Clerk’s office, Bulkowski has raised $12,980 and has spent a total of $12,320.72. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/24973.PDF

For the most recent campaign finance report David Bulkowski had 85 separate contributions, with zero in Kind contributions, There were no out of state contributors.

Here is a list of the larger contributions:

• Kent County Democratic Party – $3,750
• Walter Bulkowski – $500
• Edward Manderfeld – $500
• Richard Kogelshatz – $500
• Vicky Schmidt – $500
• Steve Pestka – $300
• Tony Baker – $250
• Jonathan Greer – $250
• John Helmholdt – $250
• Joe Jones  – $250
• Daniel Tietema – $250

Max Frantz

According to campaign finance data from the Kent County Clerk’s office, Frantz has raised $32,017.45 and has spent a total of $33,937.78 https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/26082.PDF

For the most recent campaign finance report Max Frantz had 11 separate contributions, with zero in Kind contributions, There were no out of state contributors.

Here is a list of the larger contributions:

• TGIF Victory Fund – $24,000
• Max Frantz – $5,010.84
• Daniel Hibma – $2,450

Two things stand out about this race between the current City Comptroller Frantz and David Bulkowski. First, Frantz not only raised nearly three times as much money, but he raised his money from just a few contributors. In contrast, Bulkowski had eight times as many contributors with the majority contributing $100 or less.

Second, this is another non-partisan race that is very partisan. Bulkowski got the largest contribution from the Kent County Democratic Party ($3,750), along with contributions from former and current Democratic Party elected officials. Frantz did not receive funds from the Kent County Republican Party, but he did receive two large contributions from: 1) TGIF Victory Fund ($24,000), a fund that has historically supporter Republican candidates, and 2) Daniel Hibma ($2,450), who has traditionally funded Republicans, who’s wife is a former Republican official (Terri Lynn Land), plus Hibma founded the TGIF Victory Fund.