Warmer Weather Means Campaign Ad Season in Michigan

Do these campaign ads actually help candidates win?

We’re beginning to see more and more campaign ads in Michigan as election season ramps up. The Michigan Campaign Finance Network reports candidates have already spent an estimated $1.7 million dollars on broadcast TV ads in Michigan this year. And that does not include cable TV ads, which have also been plentiful. 

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, a Republican candidate for governor, launched his first ad earlier this month.

WDET’s Jake Neher and Michigan Public Radio’s Cheyna Roth talk about why these ads are worth your attention. Click on the audio player above to hear that conversation.

Here are some of the other ads we’ve seen so far from gubernatorial candidates:

Shri Thanedar, Democratic candidate for governor,Name Game”:

Dr. Jim Hines, Republican candidate for governor, “Outsider”:

Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic candidate for governor and former state Senate Democratic leader, “In Your Corner”:

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, Republican candidate for governor, campaign announcement:

Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic candidate for governor, former Detroit health department director, campaign launch video:

Authors

  • Cheyna Roth
    Cheyna has interned with Michigan Radio and freelanced for WKAR public radio in Lansing. She's also done some online freelancing and worked on documentary films.
  • Jake Neher
    Jake Neher is senior producer for Detroit Today and host of MichMash for 101.9 WDET. He previously reported on the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Public Radio Network.