By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-916241.mp3
LANSING, MI –
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Primary elections in Michigan are Tuesday. As the Michigan Public Radio Network's Laura Weber reports, outside groups interested in the outcome of the elections may have actually outspent the candidates in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Rich Robinson of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network says the candidates and special interest groups have both spent about $3.5 million in the past month. And he says that should concern voters about how elections are bought.
"The interest groups and individuals who are paying for this advertising will be back looking for a return on their investment later on, with some sort of a policy preference," he says.
Robinson says the way interest groups have controlled elections is a 10-year-old phenomenon in Michigan.
Genesee County Democrats have spent the most in the past month, running ad campaigns against House Speaker Andy Dillon and in support of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. Bernero has not run ads of his own, but he has pulled ahead in recent polls.
Election 2010 - WKAR
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