Amash Outraises Opponents

[EBounding]

https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/01/justin-amash-elissa-slotkin-campaign-money/4632357002/

WASHINGTON — Money isn't everything but it's at least one thing embattled U.S. Rep. Justin Amash has going in his favor for now.

The only independent member of the U.S. House who famously called for President Donald Trump's impeachment and then left the Republican Party last year, Amash has raised more money and has more left in his campaign coffers than all the other candidates in the race for his west Michigan seat.

That's no small matter, considering the people who have lined up to run against him include the heir to the well-known Meijer grocery store chain, the owner of a local arena and a state representative from the area.

Campaign finance reports filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission show Amash, of Cascade Township, raised $595,000 during the last three months of 2019 — as impeachment proceedings against Trump got underway in the House — lifting his total for the campaign cycle to more than $1 million.

As of Dec. 31, he had $722,000 on hand.

Among the Republicans running for that party's nomination to replace Amash, Peter Meijer did best in the period, raising $313,000 — $75,000 of which was in a loan to himself — to bring his total to $723,000. In total, he has loaned his own campaign $175,000 and had about $557,000 cash on hand.

Meanwhile, Joel Langlois, who owns the DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, raised $212,000 — nearly all of which, $200,000, was in a loan to himself — to bring his total campaign receipts to just under $460,000. Almost all of that — $400,000 — is in a form of a self-financed loan. He had about $333,000 cash on hand.

And state Rep. Lynn Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids, raised $113,000 — with only $11,000 in loans — to bring her total to $272,000. So far, she has loaned herself $56,000 and her campaign had about $200,000 in the bank as of Dec. 31. A fourth Republican, Tom Norton, raised $468 in the quarter and has about $1,300 left.

In the Democratic race to succeed Amash, Hillary Scholten, who formerly worked for the Department of Justice under President Barack Obama, raised $124,000, bringing her total to $361,000, and had $207,000 left. Nick Colvin, who worked in the Obama White House, raised about $101,000, bringing his total to $347,000, and had about $60,000 on hand as of Dec. 31. Neither had any self-financed loans to their campaigns.

Despite the money edge, Amash (who also didn't have any loans to himself) still faces a tough road.

The district, centered around Grand Rapids, is traditionally Republican, and it's likely that once that party's nominee is set after the August primary, support for that person — especially from pro-Trump factions — will pour in. Langlois and Meijer, especially, are presumed to have plenty of their own money to pump into a race as well.

More: A second term for Donald Trump? Michigan is at the center of the political universe

Winning as an independent in a congressional race in Michigan, meanwhile, is unheard of in recent political history, which is why Democrats believe if Amash stays in the race — which isn't certain — and siphons off some Republican votes, they may have a chance to pick up the seat.

 

[Warlord]

700k on hand is a lot. He needs to blanket the district with radio, tv and facebook ads. I think he can pull it off.

 

[RonZeplin]

Republicans & Democrats losing, and Independents winning = MAGA.

 

[EBounding]

Republicans & Democrats losing, and Independents winning = MAGA.

These fundraising numbers surpassed my personal expectations. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of enthusiasm to get rid of Amash. Unfortunately there's the huge straight ticket hurdle he needs to overcome. Nevertheless, he still has a shot at overcoming the 2-party system. You would think a real chance to break through the 2-party system would be a bigger deal on this forum.

 

[Warlord]

These fundraising numbers surpassed my personal expectations. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of enthusiasm to get rid of Amash. Unfortunately there's the huge straight ticket hurdle he needs to overcome. Nevertheless, he still has a shot at overcoming the 2-party system. You would think a real chance to break through the 2-party system would be a bigger deal on this forum.

He needs to spend the money wisely. Dominate the airwaves. Murksowki did a similar thing and won as a write in candidate for U.S senate seat in Alaska so it can be done if the message can get out.

 

[nobody's_hero]

These fundraising numbers surpassed my personal expectations. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of enthusiasm to get rid of Amash. Unfortunately there's the huge straight ticket hurdle he needs to overcome. Nevertheless, he still has a shot at overcoming the 2-party system. You would think a real chance to break through the 2-party system would be a bigger deal on this forum.

All I really care about is that he doesn't lose the seat to a neocon/neoliberal. Considering the effort that it took to get someone like Amash a win as a Republican, it's gonna take 100x as much to get them a win as an independent.

 

[devil21]

Seems the news of Amash's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

 

[RonZeplin]

Seems the news of Amash's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

+rep

 

[dannno]

Republicans & Democrats losing, and Independents winning = MAGA.

Ya, sorry, but if a bunch of douchebags like Andrew Yang start calling themselves Independent and beat Republicans like Massie and Rand, that is not MAGA.

Justin winning is MAGA because of his voting record - and because I don't think he has really done anything to hurt Trump. If he did hurt Trump, that might not be so MAGA, because that significantly reduces his ability to be effective.

 

[dannno]

Seems the news of Amash's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

+rep

Meh, not really.

Some people on both sides freaked out a little maybe, but both sides are to blame.

Personally, I always said that if he gets re-elected then I don't really mind him going against Trump, especially because there isn't much you can do to bring down Trump and it's important that he gets re-elected.

 

[Warlord]

Amash has a 90% voting record on issues that matter to us (liberty, fiscal conservatism) Only a few in Congress come close to that. He needs our support.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Hopefully he can pull it off.

 

[devil21]

Justin's Q4 fundraising broke a record for the district. Perhaps principles are still popular?

From Justin's FB page:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2020

Amash breaks district record with fourth quarter fundraising

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Rep. Justin Amash, the independent incumbent in Michigan’s Third Congressional District, on Friday announced a fourth quarter fundraising haul of nearly $600,000.

With net contributions totaling $592,362, Amash brought in the highest quarterly total ever recorded for the district and more than all 10 challengers in both parties combined.

Demonstrating Amash’s strength with the grassroots, he raised nearly $350,000 through unitemized small-dollar donations—over 200 times the $1,698 in small-dollar donations raised by his closest total-dollar competitor. Over 1,000 of Amash’s unitemized donations came from Michigan, highlighting his ongoing support from the community.

In the fourth quarter alone, Amash received support from over 12,000 individuals, including roughly 10 times as many Michigan donors as his closest total-dollar competitor.

“I’m especially grateful to the people of my district, who have been so supportive and kind,” said Amash. “I’m humbled and honored to represent you as an independent.”

Amash ended the year having raised over $1,000,000, with $720,000 cash on hand and no debt.

 

[Warlord]

Justin's Q4 fundraising broke a record for the district. Perhaps principles are still popular?

From Justin's FB page:

If Justin can pull this off it will be one of the biggest upsets in electoral history.

And he does have a path to victory. If he keeps raising money like this then he can afford to be on TV and to drum his independent bid into the minds of Boobus.

I'm rooting for him. Whatever you think about his stance on impeachment he still has a rare 90%+ rating from FreedomWorks, John Birch society etc

He votes in line with our principles and that of Ron Paul.