Get Your Fundraising Figures From the Closest State Senate Races Here

Incumbents – and quasi-incumbents – continue to have a fundraising edge in Maryland’s most competitive state Senate elections. But the gap between the incumbents and their challengers appears to be narrowing.

Six races – all in districts that Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) won handily four years ago – will be closely fought this fall. At most a handful of others could be reasonably competitive.

Last week, Republicans suggested that Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D) could be vulnerable. He had $665,000 in his campaign account as of Aug. 21. His Republican challenger, Jesse Peed, reported $482 on hand.

Democrats hold a 33-14 advantage in the upper chamber in Annapolis, and Republicans need to flip five seats to deny Democrats a veto-proof majority if Hogan is reelected.

The GOP is bullish on its chances of winning the seat now held by state Sen. James Brochin (D-Baltimore County), who is leaving after running unsuccessfully for Baltimore County executive. Democrats are slight favorites in Anne Arundel County’s 32nd District, where Sen. James E. DeGrange Sr., like Brochin a moderate Democrat, is retiring. The other four most competitive districts seem like pure tossups.

Del. Christopher R. West (R) is favored in the 42nd District Senate race.

These are all six-figure races, and spending in some will approach $500,000 between the two nominees. That's a lot of money.

Here are the latest fundraising totals for the six hottest Senate races. They cover the period June 11-Aug. 21.

District 3 (Frederick County)

The city of Frederick is turning increasingly Democratic, but state Sen. Ronald N. Young (D), who is seeking a third term, has a big fight on his hands from Republican Craig Giangrande, owner of several Burger King franchises. The two had roughly the same amount of cash on hand last week – though Giangrande’s total was supplemented by $56,000 from his own pocket. Young has been in public office since 1970 and Frederick voters may be suffering from “Young fatigue.” Some Democratic strategists privately believe that a different nominee would run stronger in the general election.

Craig Giangrande (R)

Previous balance $92,762

Receipts this period $41,430

Expenditures $71,395

Cash on hand $62,797

Sen. Ronald N. Young (D)

Previous $67,185

Receipts $19,063

Expenditures $18,664

Cash on hand $67,583

District 8 (Baltimore County)

In a conservative district that includes Perry Hall and White Marsh, four-term Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier is perhaps the only Democrat who could hold the seat. But she is facing an aggressive generational challenge from Del. Christian J. Miele (R), who enjoys strong backing from Hogan.

Del. Christine J. Miele (R)

Previous $101,669

Receipts $68,376

Expenditures $71,489

Cash on hand $162,556

Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier (D)

Previous $201,453

Receipts $33,850

Expenditures $20,033

Cash on hand $215,269

District 30 (Anne Arundel County)

The candidates seeking to succeed retiring Sen. John C. Astle (D) couldn’t be more different. The Republicans are running former Del. Ronald A. George, owner of a jewelry store in downtown Annapolis who unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for governor in 2014. The Democratic candidate is Sarah Elfreth, a party and community activist who turns 30 next month. George started running for the seat more than two years ago and has been raising money aggressively; Elfreth has been knocking on doors like a demon, and she is being aided by the political organization of House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D), who represents the district. The two candidates essentially tied in fundraising since mid-June: George's total includes a $3,500 donation from his business.

Ronald A. George (R)

Previous $184,319

Receipts $45,265

Expenditures $13,114

Cash on hand $216,469

Sarah Elfreth (D)

Previous $85,101

Receipts $42,034

Expenditures $34,370

Cash on hand $92,764

District 32 (Anne Arundel County)

Two seasoned elected officials are seeking to replace DeGrange: Del. Pamela G. Beidle (D) and Anne Arundel County Councilman John J. Grasso (R). Beidle is more liberal than DeGrange but also has deep roots in the community. Grasso, an unconventional politician who didn’t have much campaign cash in June, has upped his fundraising game considerably -- thanks in part to $30,000 from his own pocket.

County Councilman John J. Grasso (R)

Previous $23,328

Receipts $58,700

Expenditures $2,800

Cash on hand $79,226

Del. Pamela G. Beidle (D)

Previous $112,890

Receipts $41,950

Expenditures $7,496

Cash on hand $147,343

District 38 (Lower Shore)

Sen. James N. Mathias Jr. (D) has a brand all his own, separate and distinct from state and national Democrats – kind of like Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin in West Virginia. But the district is so conservative that his luck may soon run out, and he’s got a tough, focused and well-funded challenger this year in Del. Mary Beth Carozza (R).

Del. Mary Beth Carozza (R)

Previous $110,793

Receipts $62,300

Expenditures $32,105

Cash on hand $140,987

Sen. James N. Mathias Jr. (D)

Previous $244,058

Receipts $67,037

Expenditures $37,221

Cash on hand $273,873

District 42 (Baltimore County)

This district, which stretches from Towson to the Pennsylvania border, represents the Republicans’ best pickup opportunity. Del. Christopher R. West (R) is squaring off against Robert Leonard, a lawyer and former Baltimore County Democratic chairman. West has a sizable cash advantage, though Leonard picked up the fundraising pace some, supplemented by $30,000 from his own pocket.

Del. Christopher R. West (R)

Previous $184,871

Receipts $12,325

Expenditures $50,614

Cash on hand $146,561

Robert Leonard (D)

Previous $12,506

Receipts $44,398

Expenditures $12,685

Cash on hand $44,219

jkurtz@marylandmatters.org