Whitmer Raises Over $5M For Reelection Campaign

LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reported Monday having a record $3.5 million for her 2022 reelection campaign, significantly more than what was raised by previous Michigan governors halfway through their first terms, according to The Associated Press.

The Democratic governor — who is set to run for reelection in 2022 — had collected nearly $5.6 million this cycle, The Associated Press reported.

Comparing what Whitmer has raised to past governors shows the contrast: According to an Associated Press report Tuesday, Republican former Gov. Rick Snyder had $828,000 in the bank after raising $950,000 halfway through his first term while Democratic former Gov. Jennifer Granholm had $1.3 million in the bank after receiving $3 million in contributions.

Meanwhile, Michigan Republicans are still looking for a well-known challenger after Macomb County's Candice Miller said she would not be running against Whitmer.

So far, three Republicans have created gubernatorial campaign committees. Ryan Kelley, a real estate broker from Ottawa County’s who organized protests against Whitmer’s virus restrictions was the most recent filing. Bob Scott of Howell had raised $225 as of Oct. 2020, according to Mlive. Army veteran Austin Chenge of Grand Rapids filed a reporting waiver, meaning he intends to raise less than $1,000 for his campaign.

Simon Schuster, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, told MLive he does think there currently are Republicans who have the ability to raise money rivaling what Whitmer has already raised.