(Source: MIRS.news, Published 4/25/2023) The DeVos's may not be giving to the new Michigan Republican Party leadership team, but they're having no trouble donating to the minority GOP caucuses in the House and Senate.
Based on the first quarter numbers made available Tuesday by the Bureau of Elections, seven members of the prominent West Michigan family gave a combined $684,250 to the House and Senate R's. Many of their political allies gave, too.
Former Michigan GOP Chair Bobby Schostak, John and Nancy Kennedy, J.C. Huizenga, Stephen Ehmann and Matthew Moroun all maxed out with $48,875 donations to help propel the minority party quarter fundraising levels well over $1 million.
The cycle started Jan. 1 and ended April 20.
In all, it was the Senate Republicans that raked in the most money with $1.418 million, but they spent $814,425, including $700,000 to erase their 2022 primary election debt. “With this strong showing of support, House Republicans are just getting started,” said Rep. Andrew Beeler (R-Portland), chair of HRCC. “With Leader Hall at the helm, our united caucus has shown not only that we are ready to take back the majority from Democrats who have run amok in the last four months, but that we have the platform that Michiganders are looking for. We’ll keep our focus on the priorities of the people of Michigan.”
The House Republicans didn't have the same debt issues so they were able to bank nearly all of the $1.261 million they raised from generally the same cast of characters as the Senate Republicans.
Former gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon gave $20,000 to the Senate GOP caucus. She joined 209 individual donors who also gave to the House GOP caucus.
The majority Democratic caucus raised $1.232 million, but since they had a $74,000 media buy that didn't get spent and was returned, the Dems reported taking in $1.3 million. It's twice what they reported in the beginning of the 2021-2022 season, said Finance Committee Chair Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills). “Michigan House Democrats won the majority in 2022, and we’re here to stay. This fundraising record is proof that we are not leaving anything to chance next year.”
