Legislative candidates raised $19.3M, spent $14.3M through primary election

Candidates for the Michigan Legislature had raised $19.3 million and spent $14.3 million this election cycle according to post-primary campaign finance reports filed with the Michigan Bureau of Elections. Collectively, the candidates had fund balances of $6.1 million and accumulated debt of $3.6 million as of August 28th. Summary statistics per chamber follow:

SENATE

There are six open seats and thirty-two incumbents in the Michigan Senate in 2006. In the primaries there were 113 candidates, 29 of whom had waivers (raised and/or spent less than $1,000). Eighty-two candidates have raised a total of $10,323,744 in the election cycle so far (11/26/02-8/28/06). Those candidates reported ending balances of $3,252,582 and outstanding debt of $1,189,582.

In the 21 contested races, the average raised by winners was $121,738 and the average raised by losers was $73,988. Four candidates won contested primaries by defeating at least one opponent who had raised more money: John Pappageorge (R-13), Elizabeth Fulton (R-19), John Gleason (D-27) and Mark Jansen (R-28).

The greatest amount expended per vote received by a candidate in a Senate primary was $54.85 by Patsy Lou Williamson, an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the open seat in the 27th District.

For those who raised money in contested Senate primaries:

Average amount raised: $96,669

Median amount raised: $78,167

Average- incumbents: $191,425

Average – challengers: $20,772

Average – open seat: $108,454

For those who raised money in uncontested Senate primaries:

Average amount raised: $153,737

Median amount raised: $103,782

Average – incumbents: $216,385

Average – challengers: $38,221

Average open seats: $137,615

HOUSE

There are 30 open seats and 80 incumbents in the Michigan House in 2006. In the primaries there were 400 candidates, 96 of whom had waivers (raised and/or spent less than $1,000). Two hundred eighty-three candidates have raised a total of $8,975,521 in the election cycle so far (11/26/02-8/28/06). Those candidates reported ending balances of $2,821,253 and outstanding debt of $2,444,307.

In the 70 contested races, the average raised by winners was $43,677 and the average raised by losers was $16,955. Nine candidates won contested primaries by defeating at least one opponent who had raised more money: Bettie Cook Scott (D-3), Bert Johnson (D-5), Karen Abella (D-24), Tim Melton (D-29), Terry Brown (D-84), Arlan Meekhof (R-89), Paul Opsommer (R-93), Ronald McComb (D-93) and Kenneth Horn (R-94).

The greatest amount expended per vote received in a House primary was $64.99 by David Farhat, a Republican incumbent who was uncontested in the 91st District primary.

For those who raised money in contested House primaries:

Average amount raised: $27,453

Median amount raised: $17,770

Average- incumbents: $51,568

Average – challengers: $10,440

Average – open seat: $28,090

For those who raised money in uncontested House primaries:

Average amount raised: $37,943

Median amount raised: $35,465

Average – incumbents: $58,523

Average – challengers: $14,362

Average open seats: $21,995

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