The 2018 U.S. House races in Michigan are now the most expensive in the state’s history, according to a new report.
An investigation by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network found roughly $80 million were spent on 14 Michigan U.S. House seat races. In 2016 spending on races was about half that.
In just two congressional districts, the 8th and 11th, there was over $47 million spent.
Craig Mauger is with the Network. He said $28 million was spent in the 8th district alone.
“You know a majority of that $28 million wasn’t through the candidate's campaigns it was outside groups who were investing there. It was about $16-$17 million in outside spending there trying to influence that race.”
That race was between Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Bishop.
Mauger said often it’s been Republican candidates that have a financial advantage in races - but in 2018 the U.S. House candidates who garnered the most support were both Democrats.
He said there’s no reason to think political races won’t continue to get more expensive.
“And it seems like more of it, and the numbers point to this, is coming from groups whose donors are harder to track. That’s a thing that can be a challenge for people trying to follow where this money is coming from.”
Mauger said it is also notable that in both the 8th and 11th district the side that spent the most was able to win the seat.