Money, Money, Money

The General Assembly is now in session so legislators cannot raise campaign cash. However, legislators had to file campaign finance reports in January. See how much cash Montgomery legislators have on hand and how much they owe after the jump.


A number of things to remember while interpreting this data:

1. N/A means no report was available online.

2. The money owed is often loans made from the candidate's personal funds to themselves.

3. These amounts exclude balances for slates treasuries.

4. A lack of funds in the kitty does not equal a lack of access to cash. Many legislators can quickly replenish campaign treasuries through self-financing or through family donations.

5. A lack of funds may indicate electoral safety rather than electoral vulnerability. In Congress, the legislators who spend the most money are the ones who are most in danger of losing. Many legislators also accumulate "war chests" in order to discourage strong challengers.

Update from Adam Pagnucco: In terms of positive changes in account balance over the past year, the leaders in MoCo are Senator Brian Frosh (D16), $66,810; Delegate Susan Lee (D16), $38,259; Delegate Brian Feldman (D15), $30,482; Delegate Bill Frick (D16), $30,282; and Delegate Tom Hucker (D20), $25,886. Among freshmen, the leaders were Frick, Hucker, Delegate Saqib Ali (D39), $23,453; Senator Jamie Raskin (D20), $22,163; and Delegate Roger Manno (D19), $21,289.

As District 16 may be the wealthiest legislative district in the state, the high rankings of its delegation in fundraising are not surprising. But Bill Frick is clearly sending a message to his potential rivals that he plans to fight to keep his seat: (see http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2007/12/rumor-du-jour.html).