The 2018 midterm elections are just a few weeks away and money is pouring in to the campaigns of candidates across northern Michigan.
Craig Mauger is the executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. He says a lot of candidates rely on Political Action Committees, or PACs, that get donations from special interest groups or businesses.
“Individual members or employees will pitch in to give to the PAC, and then these interest groups often support incumbent lawmakers who they’ve worked with,” Mauger says.
Mauger says tight races, like Michigan’s 104th House race between Larry Inman and Dan O’Neil, often rely on fundraising from outside groups.
“In a really expensive race for the state house ... half the money can come from groups other than the two candidates’ campaigns,” Mauger says.
