A new study finds 3 Michigan congressional campaigns were swamped with outside money during the recent election. And most of that money paid for negative ads.
National political parties, unions and special interest groups spent $19 million on issue ads leading up to the November election. The money was focused on the 1st, 7th and 9th congressional districts, where Democrats were trying to fend off strong Republican challenges.
Rich Robinson is the executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. He says the money bought a lot of negative ads, especially in the mid-Michigan race between Democrat Mark Schauer and Republican Tim Walberg.
“The 7thcongressional district had more outside group spending than any other congressional race in the country. Over 9 million dollars.”
Robinson says for every $2 the candidates’ spent special interest groups spent $3.
He expects 2012 will see special interest groups spend much more money to influence Michigan voters.
