One analyst expects Michigan will be awash in political advertising from special interest groups in 2012.
A 2010 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court largely took the restrictions off special interest political advertising.
Rich Robinson is the executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. He says liberal and conservative groups spent twice as much as the major parties in a pair of Michigan Congressional races in 2010. Robinson expects that trend will continue in 2012.
“It could well be fueled by what issue is on fire with which major financiers because there are a lot of people with enough money to really make a big foot print in these things and make a difference," says Robinson.
Robinson predicts a combined $100 million will be spent in Michigan’s congressional and state supreme court races next year. Two-thirds of that will be spent by special interest groups.
Michigan played a significant part in the nation's campaign finance laws during the past quarter century. Learn more: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/michigan/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1592792/Michigan.Morning.Edition/Are.These.The.Waning.Days.of..%27Austin.v.Michigan.Chamber.of.Commerce%27
