In four short years, Michigan became some of the most hotly-contested political territory in the United States. In 2020 the decision as to which party would control both the U.S. Senate and the presidency flowed in part through Michigan. A nearly unfathomable amount of money bore that out.
Five hundred and thirty-three million dollars.
That’s the minimum cost of the 2020 election according to tracking from the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. The $533 million 
represents an astonishing 65% increase from 2018’s cost, which was previously the most expensive election in state history. Compared to the 2016 presidential election, where the state seemed a lock for Democrats, it’s a more than seven-fold increase.
A dam holding back a torrent of national money gave way in 2020, engulfing the state in spending over airwaves, in mailboxes and on social media. Two races, for the presidency and U.S. Senate, would have made this the costliest election in Michigan’s history alone. Four different elections hit all-time highs for cost:
- The Michigan House of Representatives
- The U.S. House
- The U.S. Senate
- Presidential election spending
MCFN has tracked the spending in all of Michigan's state-level elections but this total remains a minimum estimate of the election’s true cost. The widespread use of dark money that enters the state without having to disclose its sources or spending means the real cost is undoubtedly higher than $533 million.
To explore the full breakdown of cost for all of Michigan's state races, click here.
