As Michigan Senate Republicans continue to pass anti-voter legislation, local business leaders have spoken out to criticize these efforts to silence the voice of Michigan voters. But many of them and their corporations have financially supported and are likely to continue to financially support the very Republicans who are working to restrict our access to the polls.
According to the Michigan Secretary of State’s campaign finance data, the top 30 corporate donors to the 20 Michigan Republican Senators, leadership PACs associated with Sens. Nesbitt, VanderWall, Zorn, Stamas, Bumstead, Schmidt, Bizon, Horn, Barrett, and Shirkey, and the Senate Republican Candidate Committee have donated $3,484,679 since just 2018.
Will these corporate donors continue to support efforts to make voting harder for Michiganders? Contact them using the information below and let them know we won’t let our voices be silenced.
Top Corporate Donors
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan – $268,450
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PAC has given $96,050 to Michigan Republican Senators and $172,400 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. They have donated $285,000 to the SRCC alone since 2011 and are a top donor cycle after cycle. Daniel J, Loepp, President and CEO, put out a statement denouncing voter suppression efforts. Loepp’s individual giving in the state does not appear to be connected.
Contact listed for Media Resources: 313-549-9884 and newsroom@bcbsm.com and Twitter and Facebook
- Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers – $257,000
The Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association PAC has given $117,050 to Michigan Republican Senators and $139,950 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, the Association “advocates for member distributors in the legislative, regulatory, legal and public relations arenas.” They are a major monetary force in Michigan politics and have given $179,794 to just the SRCC since 2011.
Contact: Spencer Nevins (President) “chief spokesperson to the legislature and elected officials” phone: 517-482-5555 ext. 214 and a general contact us form and Twitter and Facebook
- DTE Energy Company – $225,350
The DTE Energy Company PAC has given $59,450 to Michigan Republican Senators and $165,900 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. They have given $232,500 to the SRCC alone since 2011. According to a 2018 statement from their website, their PAC “allows employees to pool personal contributions to support candidates for elective office who will champion and protect the interests of the company, its employees, and most importantly, the customers they serve.”
Jerry Norcia, President and CEO, signed on to a statement denouncing voter suppression efforts. Since 2018, Norcia has personally contributed $28,000 to the DTE Energy PAC, as well as $2,500 to the Michigan Chamber of Commerce PAC, another big supporter of Michigan Republican Senators (see below), $500 to Sen. Daniel Lauwers and $1,000 to Sen. Aric Nesbitt.
Contact: Listed on their press releases – Anne Santori 313-235-5555 and Twitter and Facebook
- Realtor PAC of Michigan – $201,050
The Michigan Association of Realtors PAC has given $116,750 to Michigan Republican Senators and $84,300 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, the Realtors “is an integrated advocacy and communications force for the real estate professionals” of Michigan and a “recognized public policy and legal advocate for private property rights.” They have given $250,000 to just the SRCC since 2011.
Contact: Brad Ward, Vice President of Public Policy & Legal Affairs phone 517-372-8890 and the general contact form and Twitter
- Auto Dealers of Michigan – $182,750
The Michigan Auto Dealers Association PAC has contributed $72,150 to Michigan Republican Senators and $110,600 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. The PAC is funded by auto dealers from across Michigan Since 2011, the PAC has contributed $185,000 to the SRCC.
Contact: General contact form
- Michigan Bankers Association – $179,084
The Michigan Bankers Association PAC has contributed $47,084 to Michigan Republican Senators and $132,000 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018 and are regularly listed as top donors to the SRCC for the past decade. According to the Association’s website, their PAC is “vital to building relationships” and they have “seen the benefit those relationships provide through the real-time access to regulators [and] legislators.”
Contact: Media Inquiries Alyssa Harasim, Director of Communications and PR, aharasim@mibankers.com and 517-342-9059 and Facebook and Twitter
- Michigan Chamber of Commerce – $177,400
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce PAC contributed $68,950 to Michigan Republican Senators and $108,450 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. In the past decade they have regularly been listed among top donors to the SRCC.
Contact: General contact form and info@michamber.com 517-371-2100 and John Zimmerman, marketing and communications executive, 517-371-7655 jzimmerman@michamber.com and Facebook and Twitter
- Comcast and NBC Universal – $171,000
The Comcast and NBC Universal PAC has contributed $21,000 to Michigan Republican Senators and $150,000 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. The PAC has contributed $180,000 to just the SRCC since 2011.
Contact: Sena Fitzmaurice, senior VP, corporate communications, government and regulatory communications, sena_fitzmaurice@comcast.com and Facebook and Twitter
- Meijer Inc. – $157,000
The Meijer Inc. PAC has given $36,500 to Michigan Republican Senators and $120,500 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. In the past decade they have regularly topped donor lists to the SRCC. Since 2018, Hank, Doug, and Mark Meijer have together contributed $495,000 to the Meijer Inc. PAC.
Contact: Media Line 616-249-6334 and meijermediahotline@meijer.com and Twitter and Facebook
- CMS (Consumers) Energy Employees for Better Government – $146,200
The CMS Energy Employees for Better Government PAC has contributed $67,700 to Michigan Republican Senators and $78,500 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, “in engaging in the political process, the company is committed to upholding its core values and adhering to the highest standards of ethical conduct.”
Contact: Media Katie Carey 517-740-1739 and Brian Wheeler 517-788-2394 and newsroom@consumersenergy.com and Facebook and Twitter
- Michigan Credit Union League Action Fund – $140,350
The Michigan Credit Union League Action Fund has contributed $71,450 to Michigan Republican Senators and $68,900 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, their PAC “provides credit unions with the opportunity to financially support candidates for…offices who have demonstrated a belief in the principles of the credit union movement.”
Contact: Shawn Glinis, Media and Publications Editor, Corporate Marketing and Communications, 800-262-6285 and shawn.glinis@mcul.org and Facebook and Twitter
- Health PAC – $121,500
The Michigan Health and Hospital Association’s PAC contributed $46,850 to Michigan Republican Senators and $74,650 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018 and has been listed as a top donor to the SRCC for the past decade.
Contact: Media inquiries go to Laura Wotruba at 517-703-8601 and Facebook and Twitter
- Delta Dental – $108,400
Delta Dental of Michigan’s PAC contributed $47,900 to Michigan Republican Candidates and $60,500 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018.
Contact: Media inquiries go to Lisa Ermak Nguyen, special projects and PR officer, 517-381-4210 and lnguyen@deltadentalmi.com and Facebook and Twitter
- Health Care Association of Michigan – $89,000
The Health Care Association of Michigan’s PAC contributed $11,500 to Michigan Republican Senators and $77,500 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018 and has been a top donor to the SRCC for the past decade.
Contact: Rich Farran, VP of Government Services, RichFarran@HCAM.org and Facebook and Twitter
- Michigan Farm Bureau – $87,908
The Michigan Farm Bureau PAC has contributed $87,908 to Michigan Republican Senators since 2018.
- Ford Motor Company Civic Action Fund – $81,900
The Ford Motor Company Civic Action Fund contributed $35,900 to Michigan Republican Senators and $46,000 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee since 2018. Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company signed onto a statement criticizing anti-voter efforts along with other business leaders. Since 2018, Farley has personally donated $4,992 to the Fund.
Contact: Facebook and Twitter and Jim Farley’s Twitter and media contact email is media@ford.com
- General Motors – $75,600
General Motor’s PAC has contributed $54,450 to Michigan Republican Senators and $21,150 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. Mary T. Barra, Chairman and CEO of General Motors signed onto a statement criticizing anti-voter efforts along with other Michigan business leaders. Since 2018, Barra has personally donated $1,600 to the Fund.
Contact: Mary T. Barra’s contact info is 313-556-5000 and mary.barra@gm.com and Facebook and Twitter
- Michigan CPAs – $73,812
The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants’ PAC contributed $18,000 to Michigan Republican Senators and $55,812 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, the MICPA PAC “helps ensure that CPAs and their professional interests remain visible and are well represented in the public policy-making process.”
Contact: Rachel Reardon, Government Relations Leader, 248-267-3725 rreardon@micpa.org and Facebook and Twitter
- Michigan Restaurant Association – $71,025
The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association’s PAC has contributed $25,625 to Michigan Senate Republicans and $45,400 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, the MRLA’s PAC “promotes candidates and issues that will positively impact the hospitality industry.”
Contact: media inquiries go to Emily Daunt, senior director of marketing and communications at 517-377-3933 or edaunt@mrla.org and Facebook and Twitter
- Michigan State Troopers PAC – $67,750
The Michigan State Troopers PAC has contributed $9,750 to Michigan Senate Republicans and $58,000 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018.
Contact: Generic online contact form
- Marathon Petroleum Corporation Employees – $67,400
The Marathon Petroleum Corporation Employees PAC has contributed $16,000 to Michigan Senate Republicans and $51,400 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, Marathon contributes “with the intent to promote the best interests of the company.”
Contact: corporate communications at 419-422-2121 and a media inquiry form and Facebook and Twitter
- Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists – $65,650
The Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ PAC has contributed $21,650 to Michigan Senate Republicans and $44,000 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018.
- Michigan Petroleum Jobbers – $65,500
The Michigan Petroleum Association’s Jobbers PAC has given $27,500 to Michigan Senate Republicans and $38,000 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, the Jobbers PAC “is the voice for all Michigan Petroleum Association and Michigan Association of Convenience Stores members at the state capitol.”
Contact: Mark Griffin, president, griffin@mpamacs.org or general contact form and Facebook and Twitter
- Brooke Holdings & Jackson National Life Insurance PAC – $64,300
The Brooke Holdings & Jackson National PAC has given $19,550 to Michigan Senate Republicans and $44,750 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018.
Contact: Generic online contact form and Facebook and Twitter
- Automobile Club PAC – $62,900
The Automobile Club PAC, the American Automobile Association (AAA) PAC, has given $31,300 to Michigan Senate Republicans and $31,600 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senator leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, the Auto Club Group is “committed to being a good corporate citizen.”
- Comerica Inc. – $59,300
Comerica Inc. PAC has given $57,800 to Michigan Republican Candidates and $1,500 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senate Republican leadership PACs since 2018.
Contact: Michigan media contact is Matt Barnhart at 313-222-3694 and mpbarnhart@comerica.com and Facebook and Twitter
- Dykema Gossett – $57,900
The Dykema Gossett (a law firm based in Detroit) PAC has contributed $29,400 to Michigan Republican Senators and $28,500 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee since 2018. Leonard C. Wolfe, Chairman and CEO of Dykema Gossett PLLC signed onto a statement criticizing anti-voter efforts along with other Michigan business leaders.
Contact: Timothy R. Trunzo, marketing manager, 313-568-5333 and ttrunzo@dykema.com and Leonard C. Wolfe’s contact is 517-374-9178 and lwolfe@dykema.com and Facebook and Twitter
- Business Leaders for MI PAC – $55,000
The Business Leaders for MI PAC has given $55,000 to various Senate Republican leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, they “work tirelessly to shape policies, ideas and opportunities in an effort to improve Michigan’s competitiveness.”
Contact: generic online contact form, Facebook, Twitter, VP of Marketing and Communications is Anna Heaton, and the VP for Government Affairs and Public Policy is Tim Sowton
- Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists PAC – $52,700
The Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists PAC has given $27,500 to Michigan Republican Candidates and $25,200 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senate Republican leadership PACs since 2018.
Contact: generic online contact form, Facebook, and Twitter
- AT&T Michigan – $51,500
The AT&T Michigan PAC has contributed $22,500 to Michigan Senate Republicans and $29,000 to the Senate Republican Candidate Committee and various Senate Republican leadership PACs since 2018. According to their website, AT&T’s political activity is “to ensure we have an effective, responsible voice in policy discussions that impact our business, our employees, and our customers.”
Contact: regional regulatory/legislative media contact is Megan Ketterer and megan.ketterer@att.com and Facebook and Twitter