Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder raises $7.3M for campaign, including $5.9M of his own money
Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder has continued giving millions to his campaign for Michigan governor, contributing the largest share of the $7.3 million he reported raising as of July 18.
The former president and COO of computer maker Gateway Inc. gave $5.9 million to his campaign, money the Republican has used to dominate the airwaves since launching his first TV ad in early February.
The campaign finance report he filed Friday showed he raised $1.4 million from supporters and had $812,000 left in his campaign kitty to spend by the Aug. 3 primary election.
Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder has given his campaign millions.
The most intriguing news out of the Republican filings may have been reports showing U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra and Attorney General Mike Cox each raised $1.1 million since the start of the year, although Cox carried over a lot more money from 2009.
Overall, Cox raised $2.9 million and had $147,000 on hand, while Hoekstra raised $1.6 million and had $311,000 left to spend. His bottom line was helped by nearly $140,000 in public matching funds, and he has applied for more.
The player with the biggest amount left to spend after Snyder is Republican Mike Bouchard, who was sitting atop $846,000 with just two weeks to go before the election. The Oakland County sheriff has pulled in $1.6 million in contributions overall and received $81,000 in public matching funds.
Democrats had raised and spent far less money in what has been a low-key effort by both House Speaker Andy Dillon and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. Dillon raised $1.4 million and had $288,000 on hand, while Bernero raised $743,000 and had $82,000 left. Neither man raised money last year.
Bernero's records show he got the maximum contribution allowed, $34,000, from the political action committees of the United Auto Workers union and the Michigan Education Association. He moved $46,000 from his mayoral campaign fund.
Dillon moved $100,000 from his state representative campaign fund and $34,000 from the Dillon Leadership Fund to his campaign. He got $15,000 from the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.
The Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan PAC gave $34,000 to Dillon and $10,000 to Bernero.
State Sen. Tom George, the fifth Republican in the race, raised $343,000 and had about a tenth of that left.
Comments
stunhsif
Sun, Jul 25, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.
Right on InsideTheHall. Rick is owned by no one, he is a self made man. He has my support 100%.
InsideTheHall
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 5:32 p.m.
Oh and what are the UAW and MEA doing????? Buying their way in like the puppet masters they really are is what they are doing. At least nobody owns Snyder....he is self made and did it the old fashion way...he earned it.
frozenhotchocolate
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.
It is a problem, ever since I was refused free hot dogs during his announcement party (see my previous posts) I have decided he is wrong for Michigan. I have never voted republican but will this time for Mike Cox. Sounds crazy, but his idea of drastically cutting spending and as a result taxes will make Michigan the best state in the nation to run business and make jobs. I don't get anything from the government (i.e. health insurance, food stamps, housing or education) and Michigan is in need for a change. Mike Cox 2010
frozenhotchocolate
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 10:57 a.m.
So he didn't actually raise any money, because his own money doesn't count. And why he referred to as 'Ann Arbor business man' I have never seen him around town reading comics or blogging about xbox like most tough nerds do. Give me a break.
The Black Stallion3
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 10:49 a.m.
Rasputin.......It is not just Republicans, both sides spend way too much money to secure these jobs. They are not doing it to help people of the middle class, they are doing it to help the rich.
Rasputin
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 10:38 a.m.
Please... Rick Snyder wants to play politics and figures he can buy his way in and once he's set up, he'll help his cronies who put up the dough. This campaign has a foul odor to it. I'm just saying, Republicans care about themselves first and foremost, have you considered what's in it for Ricky?
The Black Stallion3
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
You are so right Domey.....It just doesn't make sense does it? The kickbacks must be tremendous.
Domey
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 9:59 a.m.
Don't you ALWAYS wonder why a businessman would sink $5.9M of their own money into a bid to secure a job that pays $177k a year and only lasts for four years? There is more than a mere power trip going on here. It's not just him either. Our politicians are not working on our behalf. The two-headed beast of politics in this country is laying to waste all that the people have worked so hard for. It matters not whether the Democrats or the Republicans rule, your standard of living is likely going to go down. Both share guilt in our current "national condition" and both have ignored the voice of the people they were supposed to represent. Now, let the mud-slinging begin because all they will tell you is how bad the other guy is so you should not vote for him. @A2K - Ever heard of "deferred payments" or the revolving door between government and corporations? Things are not always as they seem. I'm just saying.
Brad
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
I must be a GOP thing: "n 2005, DeVos launched the most expensive gubernatorial campaign in the history of Michigan, totaling more than $41 million. ltimately, DeVos lost on November 7, 2006, to Democratic incumbent Jennifer Granholm." So he is going to need to "raise" some more of his own money it looks like.
A2K
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 9:02 a.m.
What's wrong with using his own money? He's not taking money from PAC or other special-interests groups...I say BRAVO!
The Black Stallion3
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 8:25 a.m.
It is amazing just how much money is spent trying to be a politician when the rest of our country is struggling to make ends meet, just amazing.
David Frye
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 6:05 a.m.
Wouldn't it be more accurate to write: "Rick Snyder raises $1.4M for campaign, tries to buy office by throwing in another $5.9M of his own money"? When your OWN MONEY makes up 81% of the amount you "raised," that kind of changes the definition of "raising money."
oldrustynail
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 9:11 p.m.
Is this the rich man story we see every couple of years in politics? Making millions, been there, done that. What's new? I know. Power!