By THE MICHIGAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE NETWORK
LANSING (April 30, 2019) — Ten state lawmakers raised more than $30,000 through their own political action committees (PACs) over the first months of 2019, according to new campaign finance disclosures.
Similar to associations and businesses, lawmakers use PACs to raise money to support like-minded candidates and causes and to advance their interests in Lansing. The PACs can accept unlimited contributions from donors. When PACs are connected to officeholders, they are known as leadership PACs because previously, they were primarily used by candidates for leadership positions.
From Jan. 1, 2019, through April 20, 2019, there were 11 leadership PACs that received more than $30,000 in contributions. Two of them were connected to the same lawmaker: House Speaker Lee Chatfield, a Republican from Levering.
As donors attempt to direct their money to the most influential lawmakers, leadership PACs will likely continue to be a force in Michigan politics. Below is a list of the 10 lawmakers who raised the most money through their own PACs from Jan. 1, 2019 to April 20, 2019, and where some of the money came from.
Top Donors: John W. Kenderick of Pollack Randall Funeral Homes, $40,000; J.C. Huizenga of the Huizenga Group, $10,000; Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, $7,000; Comcast NBC Universal PAC, $5,000; Auto Dealers of Michigan PAC, $5,000; CMS Energy Employees for Better Government PAC, $5,000; DTE Energy PAC, $5,000; Michigan Chamber of Commerce PAC, $5,000; Gary Granger of Granger, $5,000; Daniel Hibma of Land & Co., $5,000.
Top Donors: William Payne of Alticor, $2,500; Peter Secchia of Universal Forest Products, $2,500; Roger Penske of Penske Corp., $2,500; Noel Cuellar of Primera Plastics, $2,500; Doug DeVos of Alticor, $2,500; Willem Henke of Beaver Creek Farm, $2,500; DTE Energy PAC, $2,500; Tom Helmstetter of Lighthouse Insurance, $2,500; Arlyn Lanting, retired, $2,500.
Top Donors: John Kennedy of Autocam, $40,000; Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC, $5,000; Comcast NBC Universal PAC, $5,000; CMS Energy Employees for Better Government PAC, $5,000; Michigan Chamber of Commerce PAC, $5,000.
Top Donors: United Auto Workers of Michigan, $10,000; CMS Energy Employees for Better Government PAC, $6,000; Comcast NBC Universal PAC, $3,000; Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC, $2,500; DTE Energy PAC, $2,500.
Top Donors: Peter Secchia, $10,000; MedNAX PAC, $5,000; Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC, $3,000; Michigan Health & Hospital Association PAC, $1,000; General Motors PAC, $1,000.
Top Donors: Michigan Laborers Political League, $5,000; DTE Energy PAC, $3,000; Red and Blue PAC, $2,500; United Auto Workers of Michigan, $2,500.
Top Donors: Shenise Johnson of Detroit, $2,100; Laura Loeschuer of Southgate, $2,000; United Auto Workers of Michigan, $2,000; Operating Engineers Local 324, $2,000; Gregory Mathis of Bloomfield, $1,400.
Top Donors: Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC, $5,000; Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters PAC, $5,000; CMS Energy Employees for Better Government PAC, $5,000; Comcast NBC Universal PAC, $3,000; DTE Energy PAC, $2,500; Michigan Health & Hospital Association PAC, $2,500.
Top Donors: Matthew Moroun of Central Transport, $5,000; Sharif Hussein of CNSI, $5,000; Michigan Educations Partners PAC, $2,000; Auto Dealers of Michigan PAC, $1,000; Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC, $1,000.
Top Donors: Sharif Hussein of CNSI, $5,000; Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC, $3,500; Police Officers Association of Michigan Legislative Fund, $2,500; Insurance Alliance of Michigan PAC, $2,500; Matthew Moroun of Central Transport, $2,500.