DETROIT — Three Michigan Democrats running for the U.S. House in competitive races raised more last quarter than their Republican opponents, while GOP businessman John James led his suburban Detroit race and Michigan candidates in fundraising overall.
The federal disclosure reports filed Saturday offer a glimpse of where congressional candidates' finances stood at the end of September going into the last five-week stretch before the Nov. 8 midterm election when the GOP is aiming to flip control of Congress.
James, a businessman and veteran running for the 10th District seat covering parts of Macomb and Oakland counties, led all Michigan congressional candidates in fundraising, hauling in $2.2 million last quarter and ending the reporting period with $2.9 million in cash reserves as of Sept. 30.
James swamped his opponent, Democrat and former Prosecutor Carl Marlinga, who raised $485,946 in the three months from July through September and had $189,383 cash on hand headed into October. The race is rated as leaning Republican by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
"I am humbled by those who are willing to share their hard-earned resources in these tough times, and I am grateful for their support,” James said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, led Michigan incumbents in fundraising with over $2 million in receipts over the three-month period and $3.8 million in cash reserves. Her race is deemed a tossup against state Sen. Tom Barrett of Charlotte, who continued to lag her with $713,307 in what was his best fundraising quarter yet. Barrett had $115,053cash on hand as of Sept. 30.
Slotkin and Barrett are facing off in a mid-Michigan district that covers greater Lansing, Livingston County and small parts of western Genesee and Oakland counties. It's ranked among the most expensive races in the country when outside spending is considered. Slotkin spent about $4.7 million last quarter, and Barrett just over $1 million.
"The broad spectrum of donors makes clear that mid-Michigan Democrats, Republicans and independents are looking for principled leaders to represent them in Congress, not ideologues," Slotkin said in a statement.
In west Michigan, Democrat Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids brought in $1.77 million and had $959,333 in the bank as of Sept. 30, while Republican John Gibbs of Byron Center had $620,769 in receipts and $119,627 cash on hand. Both candidates in the tossup 3rd District contest spent about as much as they raised.
James, Slotkin and Scholten ranked among the top 20 House fundraisers for the quarter nationwide, according to a ranking by the California Target Book.
U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, brought in over $1.5 million during the three-month period and had $1.67 million in cash reserves as of Sept. 30. His campaign said this was the best fundraising quarter ever for the congressman, who is running for a sixth term. Kildee spent just over $3 million last quarter.
His opponent in the new 8th District, Republican Paul Junge of Grand Blanc Township, reported $961,021 in receipts, including $500,000 he loaned his campaign. Junge spent nearly $1.3 million in the three-month period and reported $381,402 cash on hand. Cook has rated the contest as leaning Democratic.
In Detroit, Democratic state Rep. Shri Thanedar reported just over $1 millionin receipts for his congressional campaign last quarter, largely from a $1 million loan he made to his campaign in late July ahead of the Aug. 2 primary. He had $209,374 in the bank as of Sept. 30.
Overall, Thanedar has loaned his U.S. House campaign a balance of $6.17 million, according to his latest disclosure.
Thanedar is the nominee in the overwhelmingly Democratic 13th District that covers the bulk of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes and downriver communities. He is facing Republican Martell Bivingswho raised $22,193 over the three-month period and ended with $9,563 in the bank.
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, brought in $682,077 last quarter and reported $742,474 cash on hand in the new 11th District. She faces Republican Mark Ambrose, who reported $287,089 in receipts, including $150,000 he loaned his campaign, and $275,780 in the bank.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, raised $396,569 for the three-month period and ended with $426,096 in cash reserves. She is up against Republican Steven Elliott in November. He raised $148,958 and has $29,173 in the bank.
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