Campaign finance requirements govern the raising and spending of money for political campaigns. While not the only factor in an election’s outcome, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages, such as the ability to boost name recognition and promote a message. In addition, fundraising can indicate enthusiasm for candidates and parties.
This article lists the top individual fundraisers in Michigan by their party affiliation as well as the top ten fundraisers overall. It is based on campaign finance reports that active Michigan candidate political action committees (candidate PACs) submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State. It includes activity between Jan. 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021. Candidate PACs represent individuals who have run for state or local office at any point, including past and present officeholders. This article does not include non-candidate PACs.
Top Michigan Fundraisers
The top fundraisers in Michigan elections are shown below. For the purpose of this article, fundraisers may include individuals who are on the ballot this election cycle as well as those not currently running for office but who have received contributions during this reporting period. Individuals are listed with the office that they held at the time of publication, if applicable.
In the Democratic party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:
- Gretchen Whitmer (Governor) – $6,893,245
- Dana Nessel (Attorney General) – $948,129
- Jocelyn Benson (Secretary of State) – $494,146
- Donna Lasinski (House of Representatives, District 52) – $69,971
- Stephanie Chang (State Senate, District 1) – $69,179
In the Republican party, the top fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:
- Garrett Soldano – $427,288
- Jason Wentworth (House of Representatives, District 97) – $178,775
- Aric Nesbitt (State Senate, District 26) – $176,408
- Mark Huizenga (House of Representatives, District 74) – $104,225
- Ralph Rebandt – $104,175
Fundraising Totals
Overall, the top Michigan Democratic candidate PACs raised $8.47 million in this period. The top Republican candidate PACs raised $990,870. Michigan candidate PACs in the Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, filing period raised a total of $12.36 million. Combined, these Michigan candidates account for 77% of total fundraising.
Contributions to the top five Democratic candidates made up 90% of the total amount reported by their party’s campaigns. Contributions to the top five Republican fundraisers comprised 36% of the total amount reported by Republican campaigns.
The table below provides additional data from the campaign finance reports from the top ten fundraisers. For more information on fundraising and spending for Michigan races on the 2022 ballot, click here.
| Name | Party Affiliation | Raised this period | Spent this period |
| Gretchen Whitmer | Democratic Party | $6,893,245 | $1,518,563 |
| Dana Nessel | Democratic Party | $948,129 | $131,424 |
| Jocelyn Benson | Democratic Party | $494,146 | $59,145 |
| Garrett Soldano | Republican Party | $427,288 | $218,528 |
| Jason Wentworth | Republican Party | $178,775 | $187,849 |
| Aric Nesbitt | Republican Party | $176,408 | $52,743 |
| Mark Huizenga | Republican Party | $104,225 | $88,762 |
| Ralph Rebandt | Republican Party | $104,175 | $102,356 |
| Pamela Hornberger | Republican Party | $96,094 | $95,557 |
| Curt VanderWall | Republican Party | $89,800 | $60,229 |
Campaign Finance Reporting Periods
The reports filed with the Michigan Secretary of State cover Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. Candidate PACs in Michigan must file semiannual financial reports of their fundraising and campaign spending. During election years, candidate PACs also file additional financial reports before primary and general elections.
The next semiannual campaign finance reporting deadline for Michigan legislators and candidates will include activity between July 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021.
This article was published in partnership with Transparency USA. Click here to learn more about that partnership.