(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/16/2023) U.S. Rep. John James (R-Farmington Hills), the Republicans' most politically vulnerable member of Congress in Michigan, raised $1.042 million through his campaign committee in July, August and September, more than any other congressional incumbent or challenger in that time frame.
James won his first term in Congress in 2022 by 1,600 votes, making him a top target for Democrats in the 2024 cycle. To date, seven Democrats have filed with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) to run against him.
Combined, they raised $910,479 in the third quarter, more than half of it coming from Dr. Anil Kumar, the Wayne State University governor, who dropped $400,000 of his own money into a bid. Kumar has $543,788 in the bank to James' $2.17 million.
Former 2022 Democratic nominee Carl Marlinga pulled in $171,047 in receipts for those three months, giving him $143,258 in the bank. He was the second-highest raising Democrat in the Macomb County-based 10th Congressional District.
Emily Busch raised $79,380 for the quarter and Diane Young $57,908. Busch has $84,269 in cash on hand, while Young has $58,415.
The other big news from Sunday's release of FEC 3Q data came out of the 7th Congressional District where former Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. raised $754,750, the most of any congressional challenger and second to James for most overall. Hertel has $631,683 in the bank after spending $117,342.
His presumed general election opponent, former Sen. Tom BARRETT raised $476,406 in receipts for Q3, the third most of all Michigan congressional challengers, behind Hertel and Kumar. He was the second-highest Republican fundraiser for the quarter. He now has $389,221 in the bank.
In other news of note:
- 3rd Congressional candidate Paul Hudson put $100,000 of his own money into the GOP primary to face U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) in 2024. Former gubernatorial candidate Michael Markey had previously put $169,890 of his own money into a race.
The amounts seem tiny compared to the $6.17 million in outstanding debt U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit) is reporting on his balance sheet from his prior campaign. U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Romeo) has $1.225 million.
- The only Democrat to file a primary challenge to Thanedar at this point is John Conyers III, the son of the former congressman. He raised $13 this quarter. He's reporting $38,900 in debt and has $26,353 in his bank account.
