WASHINGTON ― House Democrats on Thursday revealed their plan to spend nearly $30 million across four competitive congressional races in battleground Michigan, including three that the party aims to flip, while Republicans said they're reserving $20.4 million in Michigan to defend their majority.

House Majority PAC, a group affiliated with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, said it was placing $29 million in initial television and digital reservations in Michigan as part of a $272 million investment for the fall midterm election, which a representative said is the group's largest early investment in its history. By comparison, HMP's initial ad reservation in 2024 totaled $186 million.

HMP said its reservations in Michigan, which it might keep or cancel down the road, are its largest total among the targeted states.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, which has ties to House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, is booking over $153 million in its first round of reservations across 38 markets, per Punchbowl News, which is the group's largest-ever initial reservation.

In Michigan, HMP said it would be reserving $14.4 million in the Detroit market, where the seat of Republican Rep. John James of Shelby Township is wide open in the 10th District that covers southern Macomb County, Rochester and Rochester Hills. James is running for governor.

CLF's buy in the Detroit market is $12.6 million, its largest defensive reservation. Three Democrats and four Republicans filed by Tuesday's deadline to compete for James' seat.

The Detroit buy would also likely be used by both groups to advertise to residents of the 7th District, anchored by Lansing, where first-term GOP Rep. Tom Barrett of Charlotte is running for a second term and facing Democratic contenders Bridget Brink, Matt Maasdam, and William Lawrence. Barrett's congressional district includes a corner of southwest Oakland County and the exurbs of eastern Livingston County, both within the Detroit television market.

HMP's initial reservation in the Lansing market is $5.19 million, while CLF's is $5.3 million.

The group also plans to spend in the Grand Rapids market, which it skipped last cycle. The target there: Michigan's 2nd District, represented by long-time Rep. Bill Huizenga of Holland, who is likely to face state Sen. Sean McCann of Kalamazoo in November.

HMP's initial reservation in Grand Rapids is $5.25 million, and CLF made none to start.

HMP is also planning to spend in the Flint market to defend first-term Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet of Bay City in a likely matchup with Republican Amir Hassan. HMP's reservation in Flint is $4.19 million, and CLF's is $2.5 million.

“While Democrats are expanding the map nationwide, House Republicans are losing ground after failing to lower costs, making health care more expensive, and dragging us into another costly and unpopular foreign war," HMP President Mike Smith said in a statement. "Democrats will take back the House in November and elect Hakeem Jeffries as the next Speaker.”

CLF President Chris Winkelman said the group's record-breaking fundraising gives the group the "firepower" needed for its first investment to protect its House majority.

"This initial reserve reflects the reality that this cycle, again, will be fought on a narrow map," Winkelman said. "Republicans hold the terrain, and it’s a tall order for Democrats to break through our strong, battle-tested incumbents."

More outside money is expected to pour into the four Michigan contests, with the race for the 7th District seat having seen over $27 million in independent spending in 2024, according to a tally by OpenSecrets.

House Democrats only need to flip control of a net three seats in the House to win back the majority, and the outcome of three tight Michigan races could be key to determining that.

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