Last Dash for Cash in State Senate Primaries
As a chaotic primary season hits its final week, one thing has remained consistent: An exceedingly high number of state Senate seats are up for grabs this year -- in the primary and in the general election.
And in the final stages of the primary, money matters. So does the way the candidates are spending their money.
It's clear from the most recent campaign finance statements, which were due at midnight Friday, that some of the candidates in tough primaries chose to spend a lot of their money before early voting, which began on June 14. Others are holding on to their cash for a final pre-primary push.
Those candidates who are raising a lot of money -- or are funding their own campaigns -- are spending a tremendous amount on slick literature that is hitting the voters' mailboxes.
The open-seat Democratic primary in Montgomery County's 18th District, which Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D) is giving up to run for governor, may prove to be the most expensive primary of them all. There, former eye surgeon Dana Beyer and Del. Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher are slugging it out.
Dana Beyer
Beyer, who is personally wealthy, just dropped an additional $195,000 into her campaign coffers over the past three weeks, and she spent liberally during that period, including $67,000 on mail, $17,000 on media and $95,000 on paid campaign workers. Waldstreicher spent $120,000 during the same period, including $100,000 on mail.
The next most expensive primary is taking place in Prince George's County's 23rd District, where Senate Majority Leader Douglas J.J. Peters (D) is fending off a challenge from businessman Timothy Adams.
And after the primaries, get ready for at least half a dozen competitive general election Senate races.
Campaign finance reports covering May 16-June 10
Democratic incumbents targeted in primaries:
District 10 - Baltimore County
Attorney Robert E. Johnson, who is 36 year old, is running an aggressive challenge against 82-year-old Sen. Delores B. Kelley, but she has a significant fundraising edge.
Rob Johnson
Prior $20,272
Total Receipts $100
Total Expenditures $9,201
Cash Balance $11,171
Delores Kelley
Prior $63,540
Total Receipts $9,070
Total Expenditures $29,198
Cash Balance $43,412
District 11 - Baltimore County
Attorney Sheldon Laskin is running an insurgent's campaign against Senate Judicial Proceedings Chairman Robert A. Zirkin (D), and several progressive groups believe he is making the incumbent sweat despite the dramatic fundraising gap between them. Most political professionals believe Zirkin is fairly secure, but stranger things have happened.
Sheldon Laskin
Prior $28,579
Total Receipts $6,754
Total Expenditures $15,532
Cash Balance $19,800
Robert A. Zirkin
Prior $325,344
Total Receipts $4,220
Total Expenditures $30,975
Cash Balance $298,589
District 23 – Prince George’s County
Senate Majority Leader Douglas J.J. Peters has been a fundraising machine, taking in more than a quarter million dollars for his reelection. But Timothy Adams, a wealthy government contractor, has matched him every step of the way, thanks to $300,000 in loans from his own pocket. Adams spent almost $114,000 in the past three weeks -- $77,000 on mail alone.
Tim Adams
Prior $146,128
Total Receipts $8,921
Total Expenditures $113,957
Cash Balance $41,092
Douglas Peters
Prior $133,236
Total Receipts $7,900
Total Expenditures $48,448
Cash Balance $92,687
District 40 – Baltimore City
Del. Antonio L. Hayes and appointed Sen. Barbara A. Robinson are in a tough generational battle. Robinson's campaign finance report had not been filed online as of Sunday night, 48 hours past the deadline.
Antonio Hayes
Prior Balance $56,599
Total Receipts $39,032
Total Expenditures $41,348
Cash Balance $54,283
Barbara Robinson
Prior Balance $67,299
Total Receipts N/A
Total Expenditures N/A
Cash Balance N/A
District 41 – Baltimore City
Ex-Sen. Nathaniel T. Oaks (D) has pleaded guilty to corruption charges and is likely headed to federal prison. But while he has not campaigned actively since resigning from the Senate this spring, his name remains on the ballot for his old seat. Also running are Sen. Jill P. Carter (D), who was appointed to the job a month ago, and educator J.D. Merrill, son-in-law of former Gov. Martin J. O’Malley (D). Will Merrill's fundraising advantage come into play?
Nathaniel Oaks
Prior $103,709
Total Receipts $0
Total Expenditures $0
Cash Balance $103,709
Jill Carter
Prior Balance $29,921
Total Receipts: $16,008
Total Expenditures: $30,536
Cash Balance: $15,393
J.D. Merrill
Prior $115,212
Total Receipts $31,047
Total Expenditures $75,074
Cash Balance $71,185
District 43 – Baltimore City
This grudge match between Del. Mary L. Washington and Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Chairwoman Joan Carter Conway features two well-funded incumbents, though as chairwoman of the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, Conway has had more chits to call in. Both have spent roughly the same amount in the past three weeks, though Conway has more for the home stretch.
Mary Washington
Prior $94,054
Total Receipts $19,673
Total Expenditures $41,255
Cash Balance $72,471
Joan Carter Conway
Prior $158,825
Total Receipts $7,350
Total Expenditures $48,998
Cash Balance $117,177
District 44 – Baltimore County and City
Some political pros believe union organizer Aletheia McCaskill's bid to oust Sen. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam is competitive. But the race is a low-dollar affair, and Nathan-Pulliam, while no stellar fundraiser herself, has an advantage on that score.
Aletheia McCaskill
Prior $10,575
Total Receipts $1,310
Total Expenditures $7,058
Cash Balance $4,827
Shirley Nathan-Pulliam
Prior $36,388
Total Receipts N/A
Total Expenditures N/A
Cash Balance N/A
District 45 – Baltimore City
First-term Del. Cory V. McCray spent 10 times as much on the race as Senate President Pro Tem Nathaniel J. McFadden and has more money on-hand for the home stretch. That may tell you everything you need to know about this race.
Cory McCray
Prior $70,965
Total Receipts $14,480
Total Expenditures $44,621
Cash Balance $40,823
Nathaniel McFadden
Prior $15,047
Total Receipts $13,160
Total Expenditures $4,663
Cash Balance $23,544
Republican incumbent targeted in the primary:
District 29 – St. Mary’s County
Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) has expressed his displeasure with the first-term incumbent senator, Stephen M. Waugh, and endorsed his challenger, former Maryland Natural Resources police officer Jack Bailey. Bailey spent considerably more in the past three weeks, but Waugh has more cash on hand.
Jack Bailey
Prior $32,128
Total Receipts $13,990
Total Expenditures $34,824
Cash Balance $11,293
Steve Waugh
Prior Balance $28,124
Total Receipts $9,846
Total Expenditures $2,809
Cash Balance $35,160
Democratic seats that Republicans are targeting in the general election:
3rd District – Frederick County
Although other candidates are running, including Frederick County Commissioner Billy Shreve (R) and former Frederick Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty (D), this almost certainly will be a fall showdown between state Sen. Ronald N. Young (D), a veteran officeholder, and businessman Craig Giangrande (R), who owns Burger King franchises. Giangrande has loaned his campaign $56,500 so far.
Ron Young
Prior $66,655
Total Receipts $4,675
Total Expenditures $4,145
Cash Balance $67,185
Craig Giangrande
Prior $101,193
Total Receipts $1,560
Total Expenditures $9,991
Cash Balance $92,762
Billy Shreve
Prior: $4,585
Total Receipts: $1,500
Total Expenditures: $0
Cash Balance: $6,085
District 8 – Baltimore County
This is one of the marquee Senate contests of the cycle. Sen. Katherine Klausmeier (D) has a significant cash advantage over Del. Christian J. Miele (R), though she will need it in a district where Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan (R) is expected to do very well.
Katherine Klausmeier
Prior $192,780
Total Receipts $13,151
Total Expenditures $4,478
Cash Balance $201,453
Christian Miele
Prior $86,579
Total Receipts $16,128
Total Expenditures $1,038
Cash Balance $101,669
District 30 – Anne Arundel County
Republicans have high hopes of flipping the seat of retiring Sen. John C. Astle (D), and their candidate, former Del. Ronald A. George (R), has a significant cash advantage. However, there is a lot of Democratic energy in the district, and his victory is not a foregone conclusion. Democratic activist Sarah Elfreth seems to be hitting her stride on the fundraising front and is racking up big endorsements. But her nomination isn’t a sure thing: She faces a primary against business consultant and health care activist Chrissy Holt, who is running an insurgent campaign.
Sarah Elfreth
Prior $85,101
Total Receipts $18,339
Total Expenditures $18,653
Cash Balance $85,101
Chrissy Holt
Prior $20,160
Total Receipts $360
Total Expenditures $8,674
Cash Balance $11,846
Ron George
Prior $178,941
Total Receipts $5,485
Total Expenditures $107
Cash Balance $184,319
District 32 – Anne Arundel County
In the race to replace retiring Sen. James E. DeGrange Sr. (D), Del. Pamela G. Beidle (D) has a huge financial advantage over Anne Arundel County Councilman John J. Grasso (R), who runs unconventional campaigns.
Pamela Beidle
Prior $94,211
Total Receipts $31,322
Total Expenditures $12,643
Cash Balance $112,890
John Grasso
Prior $23,348
Total Receipts $0
Total Expenditures $20
Cash Balance $23,328
District 38 – Lower Shore
Another marquee race and top Republican target, with Sen. James N. Mathias (D) trying to fend off Del. Mary Beth Carozza (R). Mathias is a champion fundraiser with a brand separate and distinct from state and national Democrats. But it may not be enough in a conservative district.
James Mathias
Prior $229,184
Total Receipts $25,910
Total Expenditures $11,035
Cash Balance $244,058
Mary Beth Carozza
Prior $109,657
Total Receipts $3,350
Total Expenditures $2,204
Cash Balance $110,793
District 42 – Baltimore County
With Sen. James Brochin (D) running for county executive, Del. Christopher R. West (R), who loaned his campaign $200,000 earlier in the cycle, is favored to win the seat. The Democratic candidates are housing activist Gretchen Maneval and former Baltimore County Democratic chairman Robert Leonard.
Robbie Leonard
Prior $14,326
Total Receipts $1,810
Total Expenditures $3,629
Cash Balance $12,506
Gretchen Maneval
Prior $78,232
Total Receipts $0
Total Expenditures $3,472
Cash Balance $74,760
Chris West
Prior $217,086
Total Receipts $1,125
Total Expenditures $45,484
Cash Balance $172,727
Competitive open-seat Democratic primaries:
District 12 – Howard and Baltimore counties
The late decision by Senate Budget and Taxation Chairman Edward J. Kasemeyer (D) to retire set up a vigorous primary between first-term Del. Clarence K. Lam and term-limited Howard County Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty. Both have been raising money aggressively, with Lam spending aggressively ahead of early voting and Sigaty hoarding more cash for the final primary push.
Clarence Lam
Prior $70,189
Total Receipts $22,154
Total Expenditures $50,478
Cash Balance $41,864
Mary Kay Sigaty
Prior $55,406
Total Receipts $25,475
Total Expenditures $2,689
Cash Balance $78,191
District 18 – Montgomery County
This hard-fought primary featuring Del. Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher, former eye surgeon and political activist Dana Beyer, and business owner and activist Michelle Carhart, may prove to be the most expensive Senate primary of the cycle.
Dana Beyer
Prior $18,730
Total Receipts $203,647
Total Expenditures $193, 313
Cash Balance $29,063
Michelle Carhart
Prior $67,116
Total Receipts $650
Total Expenditures $1,048
Cash Balance $6,717
Jeff Waldstreicher
Prior $224,998
Total Receipts $2,885
Total Expenditures $120,547
Cash Balance $107,336
District 25 – Prince George’s County
With Sen. Ulysses S. Currie (D) retiring, a three-way race is under way featuring Del. Angela M. Angel, former Del. Melony G. Griffith, and veterinarian Jonathan Rosero, a political unknown who has stoked his bid with $140,000 in loans. Griffith is running on a ticket with the district's other two House incumbents, Dels. Dereck E. Davis and Darryl Barnes.
Angela Angel
Prior: $45,786
Total Receipts: $5,963
Total Expenditures: $0
Cash Balance: $51,749
Melony Griffith
Prior $42,284
Total Receipts $13,250
Total Expenditures $9,581
Cash Balance $45,952
Jonathan Rosero
Prior $108,476
Total Receipts $25
Total Expenditures $25,434
Cash Balance $83,066
jkurtz@marylandmatters.org
