Posted on 04/13/2002 9:39:10 AM PDT by Dan from Michigan
County Democratic Party's ads could attack Granholm
St. Clair County Democrats are backing Bonior
By Chris Andrews
Lansing State Journal
The St. Clair County Democratic Party is raising money for statewide ads, raising concerns in Attorney General Jennifer Granholm's camp that the local party plans to attack her candidacy.
The county party decided to set up the media account at an October meeting, shortly after endorsing U.S. Rep. David Bonior for governor. Officials won't say how much they've raised for the issues-oriented ads.
Bonior, Granholm and former Gov. James Blanchard are seeking the Democratic nomination in the Aug. 6 primary.
"This is the same group that sent out mailings across the state with the voting records of Blanchard and Granholm on school elections," Granholm spokesman Chris De Witt said. "I think it's fair to expect it's going to run attack ads on Granholm and possibly on Blanchard."
St. Clair County Vice Chair Chuck Kelly said decisions about the types of ads haven't been made, but he didn't rule out ads criticizing Bonior's opponents.
"Our party's been very interested in the issues that are important to our state, issues like the environment, education and families," Kelly said. "Obviously issues may reflect on particular candidates."
Bonior, a Mount Clemens congressman whose district includes St. Clair County, is third in the race for the gubernatorial primary.
The winner will take on the Republican nominee in the Nov. 5 general election.
Governors serve four-year terms. The salary is $177,000.
Bonior has criticized his opponents on educational and environmental issues, among others.
Candidates from both parties often benefit or take criticism from issue ads run independent of the campaign. The Sierra Club recently ran ads criticizing U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow for votes on environmental issues.
Michigan campaign finance law doesn't regulate issue ads, and the state doesn't keep records of who contributes to the accounts.
In Michigan, candidates who accept public matching funds must limit their spending to $2 million in the primary. Bonior already has accepted public funds, and Blanchard says he plans to do so.
Most analysts expect Granholm, who raised $2.8 million in 2001, to forgo public financing to avoid the spending limits, but campaign officials say no decision has been made.
Issue ads represent a way for Bonior supporters to get out a message supporting him or opposing his opponents.
De Witt said the St. Clair County Democrats appear to be setting up the account in an effort to avoid disclosing where the money comes from.
"I think it's wrong. David Bonior should be coming out and saying it's wrong," said De Witt, who noted that Bonior has been a supporter of campaign finance reform and getting special-interest money out of politics.
Bonior spokesman Ed Bruley said the St. Clair Democrats aren't doing anything differently than the Michigan Democratic Party did when it supported Granholm's candidacy for attorney general in 1998. And he said groups such as Emily's List, which supports pro-choice female candidates, are positioned to do so now.
"Jennifer Granholm did this four years ago, and Jennifer Granholm intends to do this year," Bruley said.
Officials of the Michigan Teamsters, which endorsed Granholm, wrote a letter to the St. Clair party urging officials to consider returning the money to donors.
Kelly, the St. Clair County vice chair, said the party doesn't need help from the Teamsters, noting that they have endorsed Republicans in some races.
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