GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A flurry of political ads from both major political parties are filling the airwaves in recent days throughout battleground states, including Michigan.
For the first time in years, polls show Michigan is now a battleground state, with Hillary Clinton slightly ahead.
“The Republicans last won Michigan in 1988," said Erika King, GVSU political science professor. "It has been a semi-battleground state in a couple of election contests. So that republicans as well as democrats have been putting some effort, some money, some personnel, into Michigan. But it has not been one of those really hotly fought states until this point of this election.”
The tight race in Michigan is evident from both candidates and their surrogates visiting the state this week alone.
"Since last Friday, one week, we have seen the polls in Michigan significantly tighten and therefore the proof is that this matters: both candidates and both political parties are here in Michigan significantly fighting over the battleground state that we now are," said King.
Friday, Executive Director of Michigan Campaign Finance Network Craig Mauger told FOX 17 their research shows it appears Hillary Clinton's campaign and her super PAC are buying at least double the ad time compared to Donald Trump's campaign in the last days. Though this could potentially change as media statewide continue to report their ad disclosures.
"When it gets really tight in a state that is seen as an important battleground, and the whole election field is getting very, very close, that’s when you start spending the big money on TV ads," said King.
