Parties Pour Over $1M Into Jackson House Race

Michigan Democrats and Republicans have each spent more than $1 million on the state House contest between Jan Maino and incumbent Kathy Schmaltz.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Political Parties

Parties Pour Over $1M Into Jackson House Race

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Do you think heavy outside campaign spending makes local elections fairer or less fair?

Michigan Democrats and Republicans have each spent more than $1 million on the race for Michigan House District 46, where Democrat Jan Maino is challenging incumbent Republican Kathy Schmaltz. Spending figures were reported through Oct. 18.

Why it matters

The scale of outside party spending in a single legislative district reflects how closely the 58-52 Republican majority in the Michigan House is contested. Reported totals show the parties placing heavy emphasis on media placements in the race.

Party committees have reported in-kind contributions of roughly $1.22 million to $1.73 million for Schmaltz and more than $1 million in media and production spending for Maino, while the candidates' own committees raised about $361,000 for Maino and $164,000 for Schmaltz. Spending totals beyond the Oct. 18 reporting period are not yet available.

The players

Jan Maino

Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Kathy Schmaltz for Michigan House District 46.

Kathy Schmaltz

Republican incumbent in Michigan House District 46 who defeated Daniel Mahoney in 2024 with about 52% of the vote.

House Republican Campaign Committee

The Republican party committee that provided roughly $1.22 million to $1.73 million in in-kind support for Schmaltz.

Michigan House Democratic Fund

The Democratic party committee that spent more than $1 million on media buys and production services for Maino.

The details

Most of the Republican Campaign Committee money went toward media placements, and Schmaltz received $10,000 in September from the Matt Hall Majority Fund. The Michigan House Democratic Fund spent $250,526 in late in-kind contributions for media buys supporting Maino.

Oct. 9: The Republican Campaign Committee spent about $335,000 on media placements.
Oct. 18: Financial reporting period through which the spending totals were recorded.
Oct. 21: The Republican Campaign Committee spent about $497,000 on media placements.
Oct. 26: Maino's campaign reported more than $361,000 in direct donations.

Political Context

The spending in this race is concentrated in a single district because the Michigan House is currently split 58-52 in Republicans' favor, leaving each seat's outcome consequential for control of the chamber. Party committees have directed heavy resources into media placements in districts like Jackson's rather than spreading funds more broadly across the state.

Voters in Michigan House District 46 are seeing heavy paid media from both parties, which shapes the information they encounter before the election. The outcome will determine which party holds this seat in the chamber.

The takeaway

Heavy outside spending in a single district signals that control of the Michigan House may hinge on a small number of contested seats. Readers following local races can track final disclosure reports to see how totals change after the October reporting period.