(Source: MIRS.news, Published 07/25/2024) Citizens For Energizing Michigan’s Economy (CEME), a 504(c)4 that’s traditionally been run by two Consumers Energy executives on a three-person board, is spending more than $200,000 in video ads to help two Republican candidates win their respective primaries.  

Jennifer Wortz in the 35th House District and Lisa Trombley in the 103rd House District are each facing MAGA-style conservatives this August. Both are being supported by the dark money political action committee through positive TV spots, according to information collected off AdImpact.  

A call to CEME president Howard Edelson, who is not a Consumers Energy executive, was not returned. 

The winner of the Hillsdale County-based 35th House District has smooth sailing to win the seat in the fall, while the winner of the 103rd primary will face Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) in what promises to be an expensive race if the GOP and outside supporters want to play in it.  

AdImpact has CEME spending $233,193 in the Lansing and Battle Creek market to support Wortz over Grand New Party-supported candidate and Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford. 

The positive ad describes Wortz as being about “faith,” “farming” and “fiscal conservatism.” It brings up her background as a homeschool educator who knows the value of hard work as a farmer.  

The spend comes around the same time CEME dropped around $200,000 in TV ads supporting Trombley over Kniss in another competitive primary.   

“We stand up for Christian values, support our troops and defend the rule of law. Conservative Lisa Trombley understands that. As a Lockhead Martin executive, helped supply our troops with the equipment they needed to defend our freedoms back now.  

“Now Trombley has a plan to guard our Second Amendment rights, back the badge, protect our borders and help our veterans.”  

Trombley also received $52,797 this campaign cycle from Michigan Freedom Network with ads. 

Wortz has her own 15-second video up, too. In it, she says, “Michigan schools are failing and rather than getting back to basics, they’re teaching our children wacky pronouns and letting boys in the girls’ locker room. We need to focus on the fundamentals to give our students for a real future.”  

She also has a second 15-second ad that hammers on Michigan Democrats for passing a law that gives “state bureaucrats complete control over the placement of massive wind and solar farms. I’m fighting to give power back to local governments, so your voice can be heard.”  

A third candidate in the race, Tom Matthew has put a smaller buy, $3,000, into the area to highlight how Matthew came to the United States “with a hunger to learn and serve the Lord.” Matthew, a Branch County commissioner, is also credited with supporting law enforcement and cutting wasteful spending.  

CEME has done $300-$500 in Facebook ads for Parker Fairbairn in HD-107, Rep. Alabas A. Farhat (D-Dearborn) in HD-3, Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) in HD-5, Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Coloma) in HD-39, Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay) in HD-63, Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) in HD-67, Rep. Brian BeGole (R-Perry) in HD-71, Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Odessa) in HD-78, Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) in HD-105 and Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) in HD-106.   

Likewise, the Michigan Freedom Network, the PAC associated with the Michigan Freedom Fund, has spent $52,797 in digital ads in support of Trombley, Johnsen and Cavitt. Cavitt also benefited from $36,884 the Freedom Network spent in four different mailers for him. Johnsen got four mailers at a combined $30,409. Trombley got $23,661 in three different mailers from the Freedom Network. 

All three have competitive Republican primaries. 

Michigan Freedom Network Helping Other Republicans 

Campaign finance records released Thursday show the Michigan Freedom Network also spent $31,364 in digital ads for Rob Robinson (HD-58), Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown) and Rep. Douglas C. Wozniak (R-Shelby Township). Robinson and Wozniak have competitive primaries. Thompson has a nuisance primary, but a competitive General Election opponent, as does Robinson. 

They all received mailers, as well. 

Robinson's General Election opponent is Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights). 

The Freedom Network spent between $15,000 and $10,000 opposing Shannon and Reps. Jaime Churches (D-Wyandotte), Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens), Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City), Reggie Miller (D-Belleville) and Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek).