(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/24/2024) House Democrats and their allies have either spent or reserved $17.3 million in television and digital spending for the 2023-24 campaign cycle, while House Republicans have spent or reserved $205,074, based on numbers collected by AdImpact and compiled by MIRS.  

The majority caucus, clinging to a 56-54 majority going into a competitive election season, has more than $1 million committed in five swing districts. Rep. Jaime Churches (D-Wyandotte) and Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Belleville) are planning to spend $2.3 million a piece on video ads, according to the AdImpact information.  

Fellow first-term Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens) is budgeting $1.285 million. The Michigan Democratic State Campaign Committee (DSCC) is committing $1.7 million in the 46th House District held by Rep. Kathy Schmaltz (R-Jackson), who is being challenged by Jackson Mayor Daniel Mahoney.  

The DSCC also has $1.1 million reserved for Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) in the Upper Peninsula-based 109th.  

Traditionally, Democrats have been active early in the campaign cycle. On the plus side, Democrats tend to get better rates and know they have the slots if they need them, but the negative is that they're essentially calling their shots.  

Republicans tend to be late spenders, which means their moves are more incognito, but spending typically comes with a higher price and there's a risk that there's no network or cable time to buy or the time that is available isn't great.  

This go around, the House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC) has spent $20,472 on digital ads in 22 different districts, most of which are not politically competitive.  

The most amount of money spent by the caucus is $2,493 for Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Odessa), $2,002 for Rep. Brian Begole (R-Perry), $2,002 for Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay)and $1,949 for Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord). All four have primary opponents in seats. Three of the four are in 60%+ Republican base seats.  

What money Republican candidates are seeing in competitive districts is coming from outside entities. In the 61st District represented by Mentzer, the Michigan Freedom Network, Michigan Freedom Fund, Great Lakes Education Fund and Americans for Prosperity combined to spend $30,472 on digital ads.  

Democrats are reserving Detroit media time for Mentzer, Churches and Miller, which is ramping up around Labor Day.  

The DSCC is also sinking around $775,000 in TV time in the Grand Rapids media market for Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), Stephen Wooden in the 81st and Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Grand Rapids). Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) is the beneficiary of $772,220 in DSCC money reserved for him in the South Bend media market.  

House Appropriations Committee Chair Angela Witwer (D-Lansing) will benefit from $743,850 in DSCC money in the Lansing media market. Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) is benefiting from $713,549 in DSCC money in the Traverse City market.  

The DSCC is putting around $450,000 each into the Flint media market for Tim Sneller in the 68th District against Rep. David Martin (R-Davison) and Rudy Howard Jr. in the 96th House District against Rep. Timothy Beson (R-Bay City).  

Some digital ads are being spent against Rep. Donni Steele (R-Lake Orion), Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown), Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton), Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills), Rep. Tom Kuhn (R-Troy), Rep. Alicia St. Germaine (R-Harrison Township) and House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo).  

Of the 110 House seats, only 8 are open. Among Republican incumbents, 19 have primary challengers while 31 do not. Among Democratic incumbents, 17 have primaries while 35 do not.