(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/28/2024) The National Republican Congressional Committee announced its first wave of ad reservations for the 2024 election cycle, a $45.7 million investment that includes $2.733 million for the open 7th Congressional District.
Of that, $1.622 million will be dropped into the Detroit designated market area (DMA), and $1.111 million will be spent in the Flint DMA.
The announcement comes more than a year after the NRCC put MI-03, MI-07 and MI-08 on the list of its “targeted offensive opportunities.”
NRCC Chair Richard Hudson said the campaign is an attempt to not just hold the Republican majority, but to “go on offense to grow our majority . . . today we are putting our money where our mouth is.
“This initial investment gives our candidates firepower to remind voters of the Biden border, crime and inflation crises wreaking havoc on their daily lives,” he said. “Extreme Democrats who enabled the chaos and malaise should polish up their resumes -- they will be unemployed soon.”
Ahead of the August primary, Republicans have outspent Democrats in MI-07 even without the NRCC money, according to an analysis of spending by AdImpact. The Barrett for MI-07 campaign has put $24,164 into a digital spend.
By comparison, the only money spent by the Democrats has been a $388 digital spend by the Wilderness Society Action Fund, a non-profit land conservation organization.
The only district with more Republican spending so far is MI-08, the open seat where Republican Paul Junge’s campaign has infused $1,050,217. Of that, $627,245 has been broadcast spending, while $392,072 has been CTV.
Behind Junge is Republican Mary Draves, who put in $530,902 in broadcast, cable, digital and CTV. Her biggest spending area was CTV, where she put in $255,052.
The American Advocacy Group, a conservative advocacy organization, has also dumped $126,607 into the race, $111,145 of which has been spending on broadcast advertising.
On the Democratic side, Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City)’s campaign has spent $167,520, of which $104,747 has been spent on broadcast ads.
Democrat Matt Collier’s campaign has spent $157,466, with his biggest ad buy $97,190 the week of June 18.
Other competitive congressional districts, however, have seen more spending by Democrats, including in MI-03.
Of the $885,431 in total spending, Democrats have $873,928 of it, with the lion's share coming from Protect Our Care, a progressive healthcare advocacy group’s, $790,034 CTV spend. Most of that is concentrated in the Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek media market.
The next highest spender is the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a left-of-center nonprofit known for undisclosed political spending, which has put $76,196 into a pro-Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) digital ad buy.
Scholten’s campaign itself has put $5,987 into a digital campaign.
At the same time, Republican Michael Markey’s campaign has placed $10,007 in digital ads, while the NRCC has spent $1,496 digitally.
Other congressional ad spending includes:
- In MI-12, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) has spent $243,311 on digital ads, while the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC has spent $106,655 on broadcast, cable, CTV and digital.
The PAC’s spending peaked during the week of Oct. 31, 2023, and has slowly tapered off.
Tlaib’s spending peaked during the week of Nov. 14, 2023.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a conservative group, has also spent $58,305 in the district.
- In MI-10, Democrats and their allies have spent $2,213,132 of the $2,353,686 in total ad spending in the district represented by U.S. Rep. John JAMES (R-Shelby Township). A majority of that - $2.064 million - has been by healthcare advocacy organization Michigan Families for Fair Care. The League of Conservation Voters, the next highest Democratic contributor, has spent $57,862, and has put down another $47,039 in partnership with House Majority Forward, which has also spent another $28,975.
The James for MI-10 campaign, by comparison, has placed $31,197 in digital ads.
- Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit)’s campaign has spent $1,444,283 in MI-13. The incumbent used $277,255 in his franked House allocation to connect with constituents in May, which is something his opponent, U.S. Rep. Mary WATERS, has criticized him for allegedly abusing.
- In MI-09, the majority of the $159,203 spent by Republicans has been by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Romeo)’s campaign, which has put in $152,421. Most of that is CTV spending, with the highest ad buy $10,714 the week of May 14.
- In the 1st District, Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet)’s campaign has spent $35,891 on digital ads only. His opponent, Democrat Bob Lorinser, has spent $1,696 on digital ads.
- In MI-02, Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Caledonia) and Republicans are the only spenders, with Moolenaar’s campaign having put in $36,386, including $28,707 in TV ad buys.
- In MI-04, Jessica Swartz’s campaign spent $26,194 in broadcast, cable, digital and CTV, with the largest chunk a $21,717 digital ad buy.
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland)s campaign, by comparison, has spent $120 in digital ads, while hispanic community nonprofit the Libre Initiative has placed $737 in digital ads.
- In the 5th District, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton)’s campaign has spent a total $3,253 in digital ad buys.
- In the 6th District, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn)’s campaign has spent $2,406 on digital ads, with no Republican spending just yet.
- The 11th Congressional District has only seen $18 in ad spending, all from Washington D.C.-based nonprofit Competitive Markets Action.
