Buying Time 2018 – Michigan
This page features Michigan Supreme Court television advertisements from the 2018 election cycle.
In the 2018 general election, six candidates will vie for two seats on the Michigan Supreme Court. In Michigan, candidates are nominated through a partisan process and elected through a general election in which party affiliation does not appear on the ballot. Judges serve eight-year terms. Incumbent Justice Elizabeth Clement, incumbent Justice Kurtis T. Wilder, law professor Samuel Bagenstos, attorney Megan Cavanagh, attorney Doug Dern, and attorney Kerry Lee Morgan will compete in the general election on November 6th. The top two vote-getters will win seats on the court.
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total TV Spending: $1,072,900*
- Estimated spending by Kurtis Wilder: $17,360
- Estimated spending by Elizabeth Clement: $210,630
- Estimated spending by Michigan Chamber of Commerce: $266,010
- Estimated spending by Michigan Republican Party: $345,260
- Estimated spending by Megan Cavanagh: $233,640
*Spending figures last updated November 5, 2018
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October 18, 2018 – Blessed 60
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
In this ad, Kurtis Wilder says “many expect judges to be policymakers” but says “I believe it is my responsibility to interpret and apply the law as it was written, not as I would like it to have been written.”
Sponsor: Kurtis Wilder
Estimated Spending: $17,360
October 22, 2018 – Rule of Law
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
In this ad, Elizabeth Clement says “I’m the only Justice who has been endorsed by groups on both sides of the aisle.”
Sponsor: Elizabeth Clement
Estimated Spending: $210,630
October 23, 2018 – Judicial Philosophy
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad asks viewers to “call Kurtis Wilder, tell him to keep fighting for conservative values.”
Sponsor: Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Estimated Spending: $235,340
October 23, 2018 – Independent Voices
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says “Elizabeth Clement is a proven independent voice” and “Kurtis Wilder is a rule of law Justice.”
Sponsor: Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Estimated Spending: $30,670
October 24, 2018 – Child Abuse
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad asks viewers to “Thank him [Kurtis Wilder] for protecting Michigan’s most vulnerable.”
Sponsor: Michigan Republican Party
Estimated Spending: $307,960
October 24, 2018 – Child Abuse Clement
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says “two leaders are fighting back to protect the vulnerable: Supreme Court Justices Kurtis Wilder and Elizabeth Clement.”
Sponsor: Michigan Republican Party
Estimated Spending: $37,300
October 25, 2018 – Everywhere 15
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says “politics are everywhere – it’s crucial we keep them out of the courts.”
Sponsor: Megan Cavanagh
Estimated Spending: $116,750
October 25, 2018 – Chaos 15
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says “with chaos in those courts, Michigans deserve a steady hand.”
Sponsor: Megan Cavanagh
Estimated Spending: $116,890
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Methodology
All data on ad airings and spending on ads are calculated and prepared by Kantar Media/CMAG, which captures satellite data in the nation’s largest media markets. CMAG’s estimates do not reflect ad agency commissions or the costs of producing advertisements, nor do they reflect the cost of ad buys on local cable channels. Cost estimates are revised by Kantar Media/CMAG when it receives updated data, resulting in some fluctuations in the reported ad spending. Data on spending on ads was also compiled from ad purchase contracts posted by the FCC and from state disclosure databases when available.