Show Me the Money

The first pre-primary campaign finance reports were due the other day and both the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post have stories on fundraising by major candidates in Maryland. Report details should eventually show up on the UMBC Campaign Finance Database. The comptroller reports are the most revealing but first let's look at the races for governor and attorney general.

The gubernatorial campaign of Martin O'Malley raised $3.4 million compared to $2.5 million by that of incumbent Robert Ehrlich over the past seven months. Presumably, O'Malley is now benefitting from Doug Duncan's withdrawal from the race as donations are no longer divided between the two Democratic candidates, though Ehrlich was prohibited from raising money during the legislative session. Moreover, Ehrlich has $8.7 million cash-on-hand, significantly more than O'Malley's $5.1 million.

In the race for attorney general, Montgomery State's Attorney Doug Gansler has outraised both of his opponents together. Gansler has raised a total of $1.7 million and still has $1.4 million left to spend. Montgomery Councilman Tom Perez has raised more than $500,000 and $330,000 left for his campaign. Former Baltimore State's Attorney Stuart Simms entered the race late as he originally planned to run for lieutenant governor on Duncan's ticket. His campaign has raised more than $215,000 but only has $65,800 left to spend.

Montgomery Del. Peter Franchot reported that he has raised over $900,000 and still has over $900,000 available to spend. However, over $750,000 was in the form of a personal loan to his campaign. Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens and incumbent William Donald Schaefer have yet to release their reports.

Keep in mind that dollars don't vote. If they did, Josh Rales would be on his way to a massive victory in the senatorial primary.

The next report comes out soon on September 1st. Stay tuned.