Who’s Been Funding State Lawmakers’ Personal PACs?
The New Leaders Of The House And The Senate Had Some Of The Most Active Political Action Committees Of The First Months Of 2019. They Received Contributions Of Up To $40,000.
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.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering)
PACs: Chatfield Majority Fund, Chatfield Majority Fund 2, Chatfield Majority Fund 3
Total Raised: $145,750
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.
Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville)
PAC: Victory Values Fund
Total Raised: $108,840
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.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake)
PACs: Compete Michigan, Compete Michigan 2
Total Raised: $106,384
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.
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint)
PACs: Ananich Future Fund, Ananich Senate Majority Fund
Total Raised: $45,752
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.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter MacGregor (R-Rockford)
PAC: MAC PAC
Total Raised $40,250
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.
Rep. Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Township)
PAC: Lasinski for Michigan
Total Raised: $38,150
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.
Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagogo (D-Detroit)
PAC: Sherry Gay-Dangogo Strong Women Lead PAC
Total Raised: $37,687
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.
House Minority Leader Chris Greig (D-Farmington Hills)
PACs: Greig Women In Leadership Fund; Strengthening Michigan Fund
Total Raised: $37,535
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.
House Appropriations Chair Shane Hernandez (R-Port Huron)
PAC: Blue Water Liberty Fund
Total Raised: $31,450
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.
House Speaker Pro Tem Jason Wentworth (R-Clare)
PAC: Wentworth Majority Fund
Total Raised: $31,350
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.
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