Michigan House Democrats cut into Republicans' money lead

Lansing — The main fundraising committee of Michigan House Democrats out-raised House Republicans' competing group over the first months of the year, ahead of what's expected to be an intense fight for control of the chamber this fall.

The House Democratic Fund reported raising $2.2 million from Jan. 1 through April 20 in a disclosure due Thursday evening. Over the same time period, the House Republican Campaign Committee brought in $1.3 million.

After Democrats won two special elections this month, their party effectively holds a narrow 56-54 seat majority in the House.

All 110 seats in the House will be on the ballot in November, giving Republicans a chance to cut into Democrats' power in Lansing, where Democrats also hold the governor's office and Senate.

"Between another record-breaking fundraising report and our over-performance in special elections, we are poised to expand our majority in 2024," House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, said on Thursday.

But Republicans touted the fact that their caucus still holds a cash-on-hand advantage. The House Republican Campaign Committee had $5.4 million available as of April 20. The House Democratic Fund had $5.3 million available.

"We’re earning record support, and our hard work and preparation have us in the lead," House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said. "Every day, Republicans are showing Michiganders what it looks like to have representatives focused on making our state safer and more affordable, and we’ll win their trust in November to bring balance back to state government.”

At the end of 2023, the House Republicans' cash-on-hand lead was about $600,000.

The caucus fundraising totals don't take into account outside spending by independent groups and individual candidates' campaign hauls.

The top donors to the House Democratic Fund so far this year include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers political action committee, Heidi and Christopher Stolte of Washington, the Michigan Laborers Political League and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Building Bridges committee, who each gave the maximum $48,875.

The top donors to the House Republican Campaign Committee include Nancy and John Kennedy of Kentwood, Richard Uihlein of Illinois, J.C. Huizenga of Grand Rapids and William and Barbara Parfet, who each gave $48,875.

cmauger@detroitnews.com