Great Lakes Wire

The two Democratic Supreme Court candidates, and presumed nominees, have raised approximately $2 million combined going into the Aug. 24 Democratic Party convention, while all five Republicans combined have raised $147,000 prior to their convention, according to numbers released by Tuesday’s campaign finance deadline.

The reports filed with the Secretary of State’s office on Tuesday show incumbent Justice Kyra Bolden having raised $1.14 million from 3,339 individual contributors. She enters the campaign season with $920,680 in the bank. The other Democratic candidate, Kimberly Thomas, raised $826,603 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 8 from 2,098 contributors, including union PACs, the Governor’s Building Bridges PAC, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s Michigan Legacy PAC and individuals across the country.

Meanwhile, it is a different story for Republican candidates. For the four-year term against Bolden, Judge William Patrick O’Grady raised $21,790 from 36 donations. He gave $7,533 to his campaign. Alexandria Taylor gave $8,018 to her campaign and ended up with $8,119 in money raised. Most surprising was former Attorney General nominee Matt DePerno who raised $136.44 among three separate donations; he has $47.87 in the bank.

In the open seat race for an eight-year term: Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Osseo) reported raising $81,507 from 153 contributors with $17,841 remaining on hand; he did not loan his campaign any funds. Fink's opponent at the convention is Appellate Judge Mark Boonstra who brought in $35,230 with $22,621 coming from his own wallet.

University of Michigan Regents

The funding disparity continued in this race where Democrat Shauna Ryder Diggs raised $49,770 while incumbent Denise Ilitch did not file a report. Republicans Ron Weiser and Carl Meyers filed reporting waivers while Sevag Vartanian did not file anything.

Michigan State University Board of Trustees

Democrat Rebecca Bahar Cook raised $6,686 while former Rep. Thomas Stallworth reported raising nothing. Republican incumbent Dan Kelly raised $24,507 and has $13.,796 in cash on hand; Julue Maday and Michael Balow had not filed by 11:52 p.m.

Wayne State University Board of Governors

Democrat Rasha Demashkieh and incumbent Mark Gaffney have yet to report any money raised whereas Republican Sunny Reddy reported raising $,250; incumbent Michael Busuito filed for a reporting waiver and Jeffrey Vega has yet to report.

Board of Education

Republican incumbent Nikki Snyder reported raising nothing while Tom McMillin reported raising $,500 with $,170 remaining on hand; Maria Grurich did not file a report.. On the Democratic side both candidates Adam Zemke and Ted Jones failed to file reports.

Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter

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