Analysis:

This article provides readers with nothing more than the amount of money that each of the 4 candidates running for one of Michigan’s Senate race. Despite the fact that the financial disclosures of all candidates are now part of the public record, the reporter does not provide readers with information about who gave money to the candidates, those amounts or what political interests they represent.

Another issue that readers can think about is specific to current Senator Stabenow, in that she has a history as the incumbent and also a history of who has provided campaign money in the past and what interests they represent. Readers should ask themselves if more details about campaign finances is useful for voters?

Story:

Sen. Debbie Stabenow holds a wide fundraising lead in her re-election campaign, according to records released Tuesday, while three Republicans compete to win financial backing critical in their primary.

Stabenow, D-Mich., brought in more than $1.3 million during the last three months of 2005 and ended the year with $5.65 million.

Her campaign spent nearly $350,000 in the quarter.

Stabenow has raised about $8.28 million during the election cycle, far outpacing three Republicans seeking their party’s nomination: Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard and ministers Keith Butler and Jerry Zandstra.

Bouchard, who re-entered the Republican race in late October, reported about $790,000 in contributions for the quarter and has about $750,000 in the bank. His campaign noted it had only two months to raise money.

“This shows that people from across the state are looking for change and want a voice that will represent them – not special interests – in the US Senate,” Bouchard said, calling it “a great start for our campaign.”

The former state senator withdrew from a possible Senate run in February of 2005, citing heart-related issues, but said last fall that he had addressed his health issues and would seek the nomination.

The contributions could help make him competitive against Butler, a former Detroit City Council member who has picked up several endorsements and led the GOP race in fundraising thus far.

Butler, who leads the Word of Faith International Christian Church in Southfield, raised more than $1.4 million in the first nine months of 2005 and had about $765,000 on hand through late September.

Butler’s report for the most recent quarter was not immediately available, and phone messages were left with his campaign.

Zandstra’s report was not to be available until today, but campaign officials said earlier they would end the year with less than $100,000 in the bank.

Zandstra, from Cutlerville, has been on leave from his job as a minister and a program director of a Grand Rapids-area think tank.

The Republican primary is held in August, with the winner advancing to take on Stabenow in the November general election.