MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

TThe cost of running for office in Michigan reached an all-time high in 2018 with some of the most expensive races in the state’s history. More than $291 million was spent this year on election campaigns, including those for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state house, supreme court and state senate. Craig Mauger with the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, who compiled totals prior to upcoming disclosure deadlines, said the total is expected to rise as more numbers become available. That total doesn’t include Michigan’s 8th Congressional District race that pitted incumbent Republican Mike Bishop (R-Rochester/Rochester Hills) against Democrat Congresswoman-elect Elissa Slotkin, and tallied about $26.7 million in spending. That race – the most expensive Congressional race in Michigan history – included about $16.6 million in spending by outside PACs and political organizations, as well as $10.1 million by the candidates. Oakland County also was the battleground for some of the most expensive state House and Senate races in the Michigan, including: $2.1 million spent in the 13th Senate District (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills) between current incumbent Republican Senator Marty Knollenberg and Democrat Senator-elect Mallory McMorrow; $1.72 million spent in the 12th Senate District (Bloomfield Township, north Oakland area) between Republican Mike McCready and Democrat Senator-elect Rosemary Bayer.