Michigan race hits $1.8 million ad dispute as election nears

The Michigan Democratic Party formally accused the John James campaign of breaking state campaign finance rules on October 26. The complaint centers on $1.8 million in television advertising purchases that appeared in the latest Federal Election Commission filings. Democrats argue these buys violate limits on how much political parties and individuals can spend in a gubernatorial election.

Under current Michigan law, a state political party may contribute up to $750,000 per cycle to a gubernatorial candidate. Individual donors are capped at $8,325. The new filings show political action committees linked to the DeVos family and Elon Musk secured discounted ad rates from TV stations. Democrats contend these groups coordinated directly with the James campaign to act as a single spending entity.

Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, called the moves a clear violation of state statutes. He labeled the spending an "unlawful coordinated in-kind contribution from the MRP (Michigan Republican Party) to John James for MI." The party sent a letter to television stations, stating they have a legal obligation to enforce state contribution limits. Hertel noted that violations are investigated slowly and does not expect regulatory action before November 3.

Alyvia Bailey, a spokesperson for the James campaign, responded in a written statement. She argued the spending falls under federal law rather than state restrictions. Bailey cited the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the NRSC case earlier this year. "The United States Supreme Court made clear in the NRSC decision that political parties have the constitutional right to spend unlimited funds in coordination with their candidates," Bailey wrote.

Hertel disputed the clarity of that ruling. "Anyone who's running for governor in the state should follow state law, and they are obviously not doing that," he said. He warned that if this practice becomes standard, billionaires could purchase unlimited ads at lower rates than other donors.

Bailey dismissed the complaints as a sign of "desperation." She said support for James is surging in the final stretch. "Support across Michigan for John James is surging at the right time and we look forward to victory come November 3," she wrote.