MI-Gov: Koch-backed group to launch $1.7 million ad blasting Dem. gubernatorial candidate Whitmer

A conservative group, backed by the billionaire Koch brothers, will launch a $1.7 million ad castigating Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday.

What are the details?

The group, Americans for Prosperity, is backed by the Charles and David Koch and has been active in numerous elections over the last decade.

The ad reportedly alleges that Whitmer backed what they considered to be failed policies of former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, which reportedly resulted in major statewide job losses.

According to WDIV-TV, the ad also mentions Whitmer's 2007 votes to raise taxes in order to address a budget deficit.

The 30-second ad will begin airing on Thursday, the station reported, and will run over a period of three weeks.

According to the station, a spokesperson for Whitmer said that the Koch brothers are attacking Whitmer because "she is the strongest candidate to beat Republican candidate Bill Schuette."

Anything else?

On Monday, Whitmer launched a TV campaign ad of her own, costing about $1.8 million, which was raised by a political group that supports Whitmer.

Whitmer, a former state senator and Ingham County prosecuting attorney, is one of three Democrats vying for governor.

She is running against former Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion Executive Director Abdul El-Sayed, and author and entrepreneur Shri Thanedar. As of March, she was "widely considered the Democratic frontrunner," according to the Detroit Metro Times.

An April poll from the Glengariff Group showed Thanedar  with a lead to win the party nomination at 30 percent. Whitmer is at 26 percent, and El-Sayed sits at 7 percent.

The primary for the governor’s race is Aug. 7.

You can read more about Whitmer here and here.