Michigan Chamber on air for Ellis

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber have begun airing TV ads to support Rep. Justin Amash’s Republican primary opponent, Brian Ellis. The ads on cable and network stations are pro-Ellis and were slated to begin airing Friday night and Saturday morning.

Ellis is in an uphill battle to oust the more-libertarian Amash, who has maintained a significant lead in the polls. The primary is Aug. 5.


Michigan Chamber head Rich Studley declined to be specific on how much they are spending, but the groups have already put roughly $100,000 into ads on the local Grand Rapids CBS and NBC stations, according to Federal Communications Commission records.

“It is a significant buy for the local market, Studley said in an email, noting that TV time is relatively cheap in Western Michigan. “We will report the financial details to the appropriate [government] agency at the proper time.”

Studley said that they believe Ellis has the ability to serve the district in the vein of President Gerald Ford, who represent the area for many years.

“We think Brian Ellis has the same potential to become a good and effective member of Congress,” Studley wrote.