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The Metro: Can a new coalition remove big money from Michigan politics? (Audio)

Originally Published by WDET on August 6, 2025

Billionaires and dark money political action committees dominated spending in the 2024 election cycle. One dark money political action committee contributed over $6 million toward supporting House Republicans.

A new coalition wants to curb the influence of corporate money in Michigan politics and unveil the source of political donations.

“Michiganders for Money out of Politics” intends to create a ballot proposal to force state-level “dark money” advertisers to disclose their donors. They also want to block powerful entities from making political contributions, like large state government contractors and utility companies. The group plans to take its language to the state board of canvassers for approval this month.

Sean McBrearty is the vice chair of “Michiganders for Money out of Politics” and the Michigan Director for Clean Water Action. He joined Robyn Vincent to discuss the initiative.