HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The latest Federal Election Campaign finance reports show money being poured into politicians whose names will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. A few include two of the hottest-contested West Michigan races for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives: Districts 2 and 6.
Michigan’s 2nd District covers Ottawa and Muskegon counties, as well as Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, Mason, Lake, Oceana and Newaygo.Second District incumbent Bill Huizenga’s campaign raised just over $2 million, and has spent well over $1.8 million, leaving a cash balance of $342,331. The Zeeland Republican has raised more than $670,000 from individuals with $1.2 million in political action committee donations — PACs representing bankers, airlines, and the construction industry, among others.
His opponent, Democratic emergency room physician Rob Davidson, loaned his campaign $60,000; raised nearly $950,000 in individual contributions, and more than $45,000 from political-action groups and $7,000 from the his party.
Michigan’s 6th District includes almost all of Allegan County, as well as Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.
Incumbent Fred Upton’s campaign raised just over $1.1 million from individuals, more than $1.8 million from political-action groups and has a balance of just over $819,000. So far, the St. Joseph Republican’s campaign has spent nearly $2.6 million. His largest individual donors include Peter Karmanos and lobbyist Jeffrey MacKinnon, a partner in the Washington D.C.-based Farragut firm, where he represents concerns related to energy, telecommunications and health care.
Upton’s Democratic opponent, Dr. Matt Longjohn, raised just over $1.1 million with his campaign — nearly $1.3 million from individual contributions, just uner $70,000 out of his own pocket, and $53,749 from political action groups. The Portage Democrat’s account has a cash balance of $129,000. His largest donation, $5,000, is from the 314 Action Fund, which aims to put more candidates with science, technology, engineering, and math skills into office.
The FEC files had no data on a third candidate in the race, U.S. Taxpayer’s Stephen J. Young, though his name is on the Nov. 6 ballot.
