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Thursday, September 11, 2025

How did Grand Traverse County-based John Roth for State Representative Committee become the biggest spender in March?

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John Roth for State Representative Committee spent the most out of all the political committees based in cities associated with Grand Traverse County during March, 2021, according to the Michigan Department of State.

The committee paid $360 to two vendors.

The largest expense was $180 paid to Great Lakes Potato Chips based in Traverse City for chips for caucus.

The second largest political spend from a committee operating in a city within Grand Traverse County during the month came from Friends of Dan O'Neil. It spent $198 during that period on two different vendors.

What’s known as “dark money,” which comes from political non-profits and shell corporations, has greatly increased expenditures and donations in recent elections to record-breaking highs.

The amount raised and spent by candidates in the 2020 election cycle paled in comparison to the amounts raised in the 2016 election. Data from Transparency USA showed candidates in 2020 spent only roughly one-quarter ($136 million) of what was spent in 2016 ($445 million).

Political campaign financial data is often updated, leading to a sometimes incomplete picture of a committee or candidate's finances.

Top Expenditures from Michigan Political Committees based in cities associated with Grand Traverse County During March, 2021

CommitteeExpendituresPaid Vendors
John Roth for State Representative Committee$3602
Friends of Dan O'Neil$1982
Northwest Michigan United for Racial Equity$542

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