Members of Congress usually raise more money than the people running against them. But in northern Michigan, Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) was outraised by a Democrat in the final quarter of 2017.
Democratic congressional candidate Matt Morgan raised $174,852 in October, November and December, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission last week. In that same period, Bergman brought in $130,709.
Craig Mauger, the executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, says incumbents like Bergman usually raise more money than opponents.
“From to time to time a challenger can really catch fire in fundraising and outdo the incumbent,” says Mauger. “We saw that happen in multiple districts in Michigan this past reporting period and it happened nationally in a bunch of districts.”
Bergman still outraised Morgan by about $200,000 in total in 2017.
Morgan, a retired Marine Corps officer living in Traverse City, announced he was running for Congress in April 2017.