Ouimet, Driskell pouring campaign money into 52nd District race for State House

Related story: Washtenaw County's top fund-raisers for the 2012 election cycle bring in big money

Both incumbent Mark Ouimet, R-Scio Township, and his Democratic opponent Gretchen Driskell, are pouring campaign money into their races for the 52nd District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives as the November election nears.

Ouimet has raised $382,082 in direct donations and in-kind contributions to his campaign, compared to Driskell’s $180,104 as of Friday’s pre-general election campaign finance reporting deadline.

For Ouimet, that’s about 28 percent more than he raised in 2010 when he was first running for the House seat against Democrat Christine Green. Among all of the candidates running for the Michigan House, Ouimet is one of the leading campaign fundraisers.

Driskell, longtime mayor of Saline, has been able to raise $95,110 since the August primary election — about $1,000 more than Ouimet was able to pull in during that same time frame. Driskell also has more cash on hand — $92,810.29 — to use in the final week before the election, and has no debts owed.

Even though Ouimet has been able to raise $94,194 since the August primary, his extensive campaign expenditures have left him with $77,256.79 cash on hand with seven business days until the election. Ouimet also is carrying $74,461.99 of debt on his ledger.

The race has become heated in the weeks leading up to the election as the Michigan Republicans in the House fight to keep their majority.

Ouimet’s campaign is pouring money into advertising as the November general election nears; campaign finance reports indicate bills for printing, signs and billboards.

Reports also show almost weekly payouts of $15,000 to Marketing Resource Group Inc., in Lansing — a firm that handles the advertising campaigns for the Republican majorities in the Michigan legislature.

Additionally, Gov. Rick Snyder’s political action committee — “One Tough Nerd PAC” — has donated $5,000 to Ouimet’s campaign.

Driskell’s campaign has made two large payments of $20,000 to the Michigan Democratic State Central Co., as well as the Michigan House Democratic Fund. The Michigan Democratic Party has put out a number of anti-Ouimet ads leading up to the November election.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.