Quantcast

North Michigan News

Thursday, September 11, 2025

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

Webp campaign16

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

The committee paid $6,034 to six vendors.

The largest expense was $250 paid to Grand Traverse Area Right to Life based in Traverse City for sponsor hole/golf outting.

The second largest political spend from a committee operating in a city within Grand Traverse County during the month came from Northwest Michigan United for Racial Equity. It spent $94 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 August, 2021

CommitteeExpendituresPaid Vendors
John Roth for State Representative Committee$6,0346
Northwest Michigan United for Racial Equity$942

MORE NEWS