Michigan attorney general race: Dana Nessel significantly outraising Matthew DePerno

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel substantially outraised Republican challenger Matthew DePerno in the most recent campaign fundraising cycle. Newly filed documents show Nessel has roughly 20 times as much money on hand, compared with DePerno's coffers.

Nessel raised more than $1.5 million since the start of the year, bumping her totals to well beyond $3.7 million. That's almost three times as much as DePerno raised during the same time: he reported bringing in about $577,000 this year for a total of roughly $769,000.

But DePerno spent more than $512,000 since the start of the year, leaving him with about $125,700 as of earlier this month. In comparison, Nessel had more than $2.5 million in the bank as of early August.

More: Nessel: Gay marriage, contraception could be in legal jeopardy after Roe decision

More: Michigan AG wants special prosecutor in case of alleged voting machine tampering

Nessel's campaign received more than $100,000 from unions, including the  Service Employees International Union, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees and the United Auto Workers.

And while she's garnered large individual donations from superstars like film director Steven Spielberg and other national Democratic megadonors, her campaign says about 65% of her donors are Michiganders and that the average donation is less than $100.

“Supporters are putting their money behind Nessel thanks to her tireless work on behalf of her constituents,” said Nessel spokesperson Sarah Stevenson.

“Whether it’s fighting to preserve their reproductive rights, holding accountable those who worked to throw out the results of the 2020 election, aggressively prosecuting crimes committed against some of Michigan’s most vulnerable residents, or bringing legal action to lower the cost of prescription drugs, voters know the People’s Lawyer has their back.”

DePerno's largest contribution this year came from himself, in the form of a $30,000 loan to the campaign. Records show he's loaned the campaign more than $80,000 since announcing his plan to take on Nessel.

Large individual donors include former Republican gubernatorial candidates Kevin Rinke, Perry Johnson and Ryan Kelley, along with big donations from Michigan Republican Party Chairman Ron Weiser.

"We already know Dana Nessel has upset voters in Michigan, that’s evident in the polls. What we learned was just how much of a national embarrassment our current AG truly is," said DePerno campaign manager Tyson Chandler in a statement.

"This is reflected in DePerno’s report as his campaign drew in support from all 50 states in addition to the 3,300+ Michiganders who are fed up with Nessel’s drunken joy ride on power.”

First elected in 2018, Nessel often points to her work on consumer protection and the desire to maintain abortion rights as part of her reelection campaign. But it's the work of her office to take on people accused of illegally tampering with election equipment in an effort to undermine the 2020 election results that could potentially put DePerno in a bind.

Working as a self-described constitutional lawyer for years in the Kalamazoo area, DePerno rose to national fame after bringing a lawsuit related to a human error in counting vote totals for Antrim County. The small, conservative northern Michigan community appeared to initially go for President Joe Biden, but elections officials quickly fixed the mistake and correctly noted many more people voted for former President Donald Trump.

However, DePerno's lawsuit filed in response to that confusion garnered the attention and praise of Trump. The case, and voting machines apparently cited as potential evidence by DePerno, are now the focus of a criminal investigation by the state.

Nessel's office recently announced  that it has requested the appointment of a special prosecutor to review evidence it believes  shows DePerno and eight others broke the law. Nessel says she has not taken any part in the investigation involving DePerno.

DePerno has not been charged with any crimes and denies allegations of misconduct. But he's repeatedly used them in an effort to solicit donations, creating the website www.fightformatt.com. News of the criminal allegations broke at the very end of the most recent filing period, meaning any influx of donations would be reflected on future campaign finance reports.

More: Michigan GOP pick for AG may face criminal charges in voting machine probe. Now what?

More: Michigan AG says 9 people are focus of voting machine breach investigation. Who are they?

Nessel's team is already planning to put her substantial campaign funds to use: She's reserved more than $3 million in television advertising time this fall, according to the campaign. And that doesn't include money set to pour in for additional advertisement space reserved by the Democratic Attorneys General Association.

According to Federal Communications Commission records, DePerno's campaign has yet to reserve any advertising time for the fall anywhere in Michigan. That doesn't mean that he won't, and there are plenty of other ways to engage with voters. But historically, television advertisements have served as a barometer of spending and outreach efforts.

However, DePerno still has what remains a potent political tool in Republican politics: Trump's outspoken support. The embattled former president recently highlighted DePerno while speaking at a national conservative event in Texas. And it would not be a surprise to see him return to Michigan in the fall to rally for the entire Republican ticket.

DePerno's campaign spent about $9,100 on catering and rental fees in March at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Florida home. The former president has hosted campaign events for DePerno and other Michigan republicans in the past.

Like Nessel, fellow Democratic incumbents Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have substantially more money than their GOP opponents. It's not uncommon for incumbents to obtain more financial support than challengers, but Republicans are trying to channel national pushback against President Joe Biden and midterm election trends to oust all three of Michigan's leading elected officials.

The  general election is Nov. 8, but absentee ballots for military and overseas voters start going out on Sept. 24.

Contact Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dana Nessel outraising Matthew DePerno in Michigan AG race