This morning, we reported that out-going Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith has a nice chunk of political change to donate to other candidates, about $1.2 million, sources close to him report. And we explain a way he could circumvent the $6,000 candidate-to-candidate limit. He could transfer an unlimited amount to his Baltimore County Victory Slate, established for the 2006 gubernatorial election. The slate could then transfer virtually any amount to any other candidate on the slate. Right now, Smith is one of 21 members, though other candidates, even if they have nothing to do with Baltimore County, can be added at any time. Common Cause, a Maryland group that favors campaign finance reform, says such intra-slate transfers are tantamount to a “slush fund.”

Here are the current Baltimore County Victory Slate members, all Democrats:

Andrew Belt, sought Baltimore County delegate seat
Jon Cardin, Baltimore County delegate
Patricia Foerster, former president of Maryland State Teachers Union
Linda Hart, Baltimore County Democratic State Central Committee elected member
Delores Kelley, Baltimore County senator
Katherine Klausmeier, Baltimore County senator
Stephen Lafferty, Baltimore County delegate seat
Tracy Miller, sought Baltimore County delegate seat
Joseph Minnick, Baltimore County delegate
Dan Morhaim, Baltimore County delegate
Martin O’Malley, governor
Kenneth Oliver, Baltimore County councilman
John Olszewski, Baltimore County delegate (Johnny O’s son)
John “Johnny O” Olszewski, Baltimore County councilman
Todd Schuler, Baltimore County delegate
* Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore County state’s attorney
James T. Smith, Baltimore County executive
Norman Stone, Baltimore County senator
Jack Sturgill, sought Baltimore County delegate seat
Michael Weir, Baltimore County delegate
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore County senator

Note that neither Kevin Kamenetz nor Joe Bartenfelder, considered the leading candidates to replace Smith as county executive, is on the list.

* Shellenberger, as we reported this morning, has already greatly benefited from this slate. In 2006, Smith transferred $585,000 to the slate, and Shellenberger, a first-time candidate in a tight race, received $435,000 from it.