Campaign finance reports show Washtenaw County candidates raised hundreds of thousands
Republican Mark Ouimet and Democrat Christine Green combined to raise more than $431,700 competing for the 52nd District state House seat, campaign finance reports show.
The reports, which were due today, demonstrate just how much was riding on the western Washtenaw County race to replace outgoing state Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township.
Ouimet, who raised nearly $277,400 and spent about $238,300, narrowly defeated Green — who raised $154,300 and spent about $141,600 — as the pendulum swung in the GOP's favor.
In the 53rd District state House race, Ann Arbor Democrat Jeff Irwin raised nearly $60,700 and spent about $51,000 to win his seat.
Most of that was spent in a hard-fought primary battle. Irwin's Republican opponent in the general election, Chase Ingersoll, filed a reporting waiver indicating he didn't plan to raise or spend more than $1,000.
In the 54th District state House race, Democrat David Rutledge raised about $28,600 and spent $26,700 to win his seat. Independent candidate David Palmer raised and spent about $12,800, while Republican Richard Deitering filed a reporting waiver.
In the 55th District state House race, Republican Rick Olson raised about $102,000 and spent about $100,100 to defeat Democrat Mike Smith. Smith raised $112,000 and spent $102,800.
In the 18th District state Senate race, Democrat Rebekah Warren of Ann Arbor raised $238,500 and spent $227,800 — most of which was in the primary. Warren's challenger in the general election, Republican John Hochstetler, filed a reporting waiver.
In the Ann Arbor mayoral race, Democratic incumbent John Hieftje raised $12,800 and spent nearly $12,500 defending his seat this year — most of which was in the primary. He spent only $72 in the latest reporting period, which covers the period from Oct. 18 through Nov. 22.
Hieftje's challenger in the general election, independent Steve Bean, filed a reporting waiver.
In the 5th Ward race, City Council Member Carsten Hohnke, a Democrat, raised $8,900 and spent $8,300 defending his seat this year — most of which was in the primary. He spent only $187 in the latest reporting period. Independent challenger Newcombe Clark raised about $3,400 and spent about $2,300, while Republican John Floyd filed a reporting waiver.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
David Briegel
Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
He spent $100,000 more and was subsidized by the mileage and per diems provided by the citizens of Washtenaw County to "narrowly defeat" his opponent! He was subsidized by the Chamber of Commerce! He raised and spent more than the State Senate candidate. Maybe not such a level playing field after all.
David Frye
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:21 p.m.
I love this line: "the pendulum swung in the GOP's favor." That's a polite way of putting it. How about this: "Incredibly wealthy people figured out they could buy an election by putting down a few thousand dollars on GOP candidates. An investment of a few thousand will save the richest people in Michigan and around the country millions in the tax increases on the rich that are the only way to dig the economy out of the whole it is in." Welcome to the new USA: everything for the few.
bhall
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:01 p.m.
Why would it be a bad investment? How much of their own money did the candidates spend? The figures reported above are total spending, which includes money raised from donors. You could say the donors to the losing candidate got a bad return on their investment.
youvegottobekidding
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 9:18 p.m.
Ok, so both candidates for 52nd House District spent twice as much as can be earned by holding the office. And now someone is going to say that politics is not corrupt? I just made a transation where it costs me twice as much as I can possibly gain from it. Great return on investment. Yeah, right.