LANSING – Attorney General Mike Cox moved toward claiming frontrunner status in the Republican gubernatorial race as campaign finance reports filed Monday reflecting fundraising activity in 2009 showed him dominating in donations and leading the field in cash on hand.
Cox’s fundraising – he raised $1.83 million and had $1.47 million on hand – combined with a recent poll showing him leading the Republican field and blowing away potential Democratic nominees put him in a strong position, analysts said.
“Those two factors together certainly make him the frontrunner,” said Tom Shields, a Republican consultant with Marketing Resource Group.
But Monday’s reports also underscored that Cox will have to contend with the deep pockets of business executive Rick Snyder, who raised $3.3 million – $2.7 million of which came from his own wallet. Mr. Snyder already has spent $1.9 million and is about to begin an advertising blitz starting with commercials during Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Noting Snyder’s repeated standing in the polls at 2 or 3 percent, Shields said, “That’s about a million a point.” Still, Snyder’s seemingly unlimited budget is a wild card in the race, Shields said.
The Cox campaign was thrilled with the numbers. Campaign manager Stu Sandler said Mr. Cox is in the “strongest position of any candidate to be governor.” Sandler said Cox’s economic plan has resonated.
Of Snyder’s spending, Sandler said the Cox campaign is prepared.
“I think we have the resources to compete very significantly,” he said. “(Cox) has got the best message.”
Snyder spent the bulk of his money on consulting services.
Jake Suski, spokesperson for Snyder’s campaign, said the campaign feels confident “we’re in a position of strength” given the candidate’s personal contributions and the half million raised from individuals and not political action committees.
“We’re not taking special interest money or tax dollars,” Suski said.
He said Snyder would be taking that strength into launching television advertisements during the Super Bowl.
Political consultant Matt Resch said it is a strong showing for Republicans that several of their gubernatorial candidates are demonstrating they can wage a tough battle “when the Democrats have not found one.”
Resch said for those campaigns, particularly Cox’s, the report showed that an all-around strong campaign with fundraising, organizing and polling coming together.
But he questioned the sense of Snyder going up on the air during the Super Bowl since most people don’t want to see a politician during a football game.
Turning some heads was Oakland Sheriff Mike Bouchard, who raised $888,149 during the seven months he has been in the race. Extrapolated over a full year, that would come to $1.5 million. Bouchard, like Cox, ran a frugal operation, spending $196,368.
Shields said Bouchard exceeded expectations and his report will kill rumors that he had trouble raising money.
“Bouchard, even though he’s running third (in the polls), is not in a bad position,” he said.
The Bouchard campaign was jubilant about its numbers, particularly having 1,750 donors. Campaign manager Ted Prill said the figures could cause undecided voters to give Bouchard a strong look, and when they see his resume, they will likely gravitate to him.
“We’re incredibly enthused by where we are,” he said. “He’s put up a heck of a number in a relatively short amount of time.”
But U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra came in fourth in fundraising with $475,807 and was barely ahead of Sen. Tom George in cash on hand with $170,511. Told of the numbers, Shields said, “Ouch.” He said Hoekstra must tap his Washington connections and his west Michigan base.
“Hoekstra, the fundraising there is very disappointing for his campaign,” he said. “His west Michigan base will keep him in this race, but at some point in time he still has to compete with the other campaigns.”
But Hoekstra adviser John Truscott said the campaign is comfortable with its position. The campaign has planned a grassroots effort, not an advertising blitz.
“Pete has always run very conservative, very cost-effective campaigns,” he said. “We have enough to run a winning campaign. We’re not concerned in the least.”
Of Snyder’s effort, Truscott said, “He’ll dump another $5 (million) or $10 million in, but the bottom line is he doesn’t have any experience and he’s not really a Republican.”
George said he had not seen the other candidates’ reports, but he feels comfortable with how much he’s been able to raise while being frugal.
“I started from zero. I’m a state senator. I’m not on Fox News all the time. I’m not a multi-millionaire,” he said. “The others started from a big head start. I’m like the turtle, this is a marathon not a sprint.”
George said he feels his name identification is growing as he continues to campaign the hardest, noting he is the only GOP candidate heading to Central Michigan University for a debate there on Tuesday.
George said he is on the cusp of qualifying for public funds and is expanding his campaign team by hiring a media consultant.
Cox’s biggest contributions came from a $40,136 transfer from his attorney general campaign account, $30,000 from the 11th U.S. House District Republican Party, $29,000 from Sen. Bruce Patterson’s political action committee, $28,000 from Mr. Cox’s PAC and $21,300 from the Miller Canfield law firm PAC.
Bouchard’s biggest contributions came from the PAC of his running mate, Secretary of State Terri Land, which gave almost the $34,000 maximum, the Capitol Affairs PAC at $31,500 and the Invest in Michigan PAC at $23,700. He also received $10,000 from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PAC.
The Capital Affairs PAC is affiliated with the Capitol Affairs LLC lobbying firm, whose president, Robert Kennedy, was a top aide for several years to Bouchard. Kennedy also is the treasurer for the Invest in Michigan PAC.
Hoekstra’s largest contributions came from the Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC at $10,000 and the PAC of Sen. Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Twp.) that gave $10,000.
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