Incumbents Report Healthy War Chests
Democratic U.S. Rep. Gary Peters reported Thursday that he has $1.9 million on hand heading into a tough re-election bid in November.
He and other congressional candidates had to report by the end of the day how much they've raised, spent and had on hand as of June 30. The reports could show who has the most financial resources for the final push to the Aug. 3 primary election.
Peters, from Oakland County's Bloomfield Township, will face one of four Republicans running in the 9th District. None of the GOP candidates' campaign finance reports were on the Federal Election Commission website by midafternoon.
Peters reported he raised $2.35 million in the past 18 months, including about $330,000 in the past quarter.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick reported she has $271,952 on hand as she fights to hold onto her 13th District seat against five primary election challengers. Kilpatrick's report showed she has raised $499,319 and spent $512,341 in the past 18 months, but had plenty left over from previous campaigns. None of the others in the race had filed late Thursday afternoon.
The longtime congresswoman could feel the effect of voter dissatisfaction with her son, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is in prison for a parole violation connected to a text-messaging scandal. He also is facing federal charges. The Democratic primary winner is expected to win in November in the district that includes part of Detroit and a few suburbs.
In the 2nd District GOP race to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, former NFL player Jay Riemersma of Holland reports that he raised $448,253 and lent his campaign $208,632. His last loan, $100,000, came in late March. He spent $529,588 and had $127,541 cash on hand at June 30. Riemersma is one of seven Republicans in the race. Hoekstra is stepping down to run for governor.
In the 2nd District Democratic race, Hope College professor Fred Johnson of Holland reported raising $53,946 and lending his campaign $1,000. He has spent $42,419 so far and has $15,732 on hand. He's running against Nicolette McClure of Idlewild in the primary.
In the 3rd District, where GOP Rep. Vern Ehlers of Grand Rapids is retiring, Grand Rapids attorney Patrick Miles Jr. reported raising $195,450 and lending his campaign $115,000. The Democrat spent $50,239 and had $259,983 on hand.
Republican U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, who doesn't have a primary challenger in the 10th District, reported she raised $595,228, spent $406,234 and had $1.18 million on hand. Democrat Henry Yanez had not yet filed his report.
In the 1st District, where Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak is retiring, the only report filed so far was for former Democratic candidate Connie Saltonstall, who withdrew from the race in May. The Charlevoix resident reported raising $120,491 and lending her campaign $2,000, which was repaid. She spent $115,632 and had $6,859 on hand.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
