Which Michigan governor candidates gave financial info
May 2018 update: See what Michigan governor candidates disclosed in our second request
Bridge Magazine asked the 19 candidates for Michigan governor for tax returns and other financial details. Here’s a checklist noting who replied and who did not.
Quotes and details: Michigan governor candidates release tax returns, other assets
Democrats
| Candidate | 2016 tax return | Spouse's tax return | Earned income over $1,000 | Honoraria | Assets | Travel | Gifts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gretchen Whitmer | ✔ | ||||||
| Abdul El-Sayed | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Note: Democrats Shri Thanedar said he will release records at a later date. Bill Cobbs said he will not release the records.
Republicans
| Candidate | 2016 tax return | Spouse's tax return | Earned income over $1,000 | Honoraria | Assets | Travel | Gifts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Schuette | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Brian Calley | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Jim Hines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Note: Republicans Patrick Colbeck and Evan Space said they would not release their financial records. Earl Lackie said he may at a later date. Joseph DeRose did not respond to Bridge.
Third party, Independent candidates
| Candidate | 2016 tax return | Spouse's tax return | Earned income over $1,000 | Honoraria | Assets | Travel | Gifts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan H. Cox (Ind.) | * | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bill Gelineau (Lib.) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Jennifer Kurland (Green) | ✔ | n/a | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
* Cox said he has not filed a 2016 return yet.
Libertarian Jeff Wood and Natural Law candidate Keith Butkovic both said they would not release their financial records. Independent candidates Larry Hutchison and Todd Schleiger and Libertarian John Tatar did not respond to Bridge.
Michigan has been ranked the least transparent state in the nation. Compared with others, Michigan is significantly more secretive about campaign money in politics, public records and potential ethical conflicts, according to the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan investigative news organization that conducts research on government transparency nationwide. That means it is more difficult for Michigan voters to know who, or what, is influencing their politicians or political candidates.
Bridge’s request was fashioned from long-established federal disclosure requirements for the president and vice president, members of Congress, federal candidates, some senior congressional staffers, nominees to positions in the executive branch, Cabinet members and Supreme Court justices.
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