Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder leads gubernatorial candidates in spending

Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder continues to lead the gubernatorial field in campaign spending, but Attorney General Mike Cox is closing in on him, according to a report released today by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, the Detroit News reported.

The campaign watchdog group shows Snyder has spent $1.49 million for television commercials compared to $1.16 million for Cox. But Cox has outspent Snyder $634,726 to $161,030 since Memorial Day.

The other Republicans trail by a wide margin. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard has spent $98,000 on cable buys and U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra laid out $5,470 on cable ads one day in May in an effort to defend against attacks from Cox. Polls continue to show Hoekstra running first or second despite the relatively meager TV outlays. State Sen. Tom George has not run any TV spots. On the Democratic side, House Speaker Andy Dillon of Redford Township has spent $335,380, including $282,880 in the Metro Detroit market. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has not done a television commercial, but he said he hopes to be on the air soon after the Fourth of July holiday.

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