Capital News Service

More time, income let Michigan retirees influence elections

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A Capital News Service study of campaign finance filings found that retirees made about 10% of the contributions to candidates for county treasurer, sheriff and drain commissioner. Retirees also made up close to 6% of the 642 contributions that were over $500. Retirees tend to be more involved in local politics because they have time and money. And even though they may contribute more money in some of the state’s most populous counties, their relative clout is more significant in the smaller counties where they often retire. While nearly a third of Michigan’s residents are 50 or older, one survey found that 60% of Michigan voters in the November 2018 election were 50 or older. By Jasmine Hall and Hannah Brock. FOR ALL POINTS. Editors note: This story is part of a CNS series on money in county political races that can be used up to the election and beyond. The rest of the stories with graphics: County Campaign Finance.

Capital News Service
Total value of in-kind contributions in races for sheriff in Michigan’s 10 most populous counties. Numbers include multiple candidates in some counties and covers from Jan. 1, 2018 to the post-primary filing deadline of Sept. 23, 2020. An in-kind contribution is a non-monetary contribution such as goods or services.

Cigars and vacuum among in-kind contributions to sheriff candidates

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POLITICAL VACUUM: Cigars, a vacuum, a crossbow and $1,200 worth of Red Wings tickets are among the in-kind political contributions Michigan sheriff candidates received in the run up to the 2020 election. A Capital News Service study found that candidates for sheriff in Michigan’s 10 most populated counties received over $69,000 in in-kind campaign contributions. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard received the most – $14,398.14. The average among the 13 candidates who raised or spent enough to file reports was $5,326. Campaign finance experts say the contributions are poorly monitored and penalties for violating contribution rules are rare. By Kyle Davidson and Josh Valiquette. FOR ALL POINTS. Editor’s note: This story is part of a CNS series on money in county political races that can be used up to the election and beyond. The rest of the stories with graphics: County Campaign Finance.

Capital News Service

Advertising key campaign expense even in county level races

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Political candidates spend thousands ofdollars on advertising to secure a spot in office, And the heavy spending is not confined to the bigfederal and state races. Even candidates for county treasurer invest heavily in signs, flyers, social media and other advertising.  County finance records from Jan. 1, 2018 to the post primaryfiling deadline of Sept. 23, 2020 show that the median spending on advertisingwas just over $8,000 by county treasurer candidates in eight of Michigan’s 10most populous counties. By Ri’an Jackson and Chloe Alverson.

Capital News Service

Money significant but hard to track in county campaigns

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It is challenging to track the donations and expenditures Michigan requires candidates to report and that can include a lot of money even at the county level. A study of three county level races encompassing 56 Michigan counties discovered that between Jan. 1, 2018 and Sept. 23, 2020 candidates for sheriff raised more than $1.25 million to fund their races. Candidates for treasurer raised nearly $600,000 during the same period. Even candidates for drain commissioner raised nearly a half-million dollars. Michigan State University students who did the study found challenges in getting and analyzing the data from a reporting system critics say is in need of reform. By Brandon Chew and Taylor Haelterman