Md. Dems get $100K from national party
The Democratic National Committee wired $100,000 to the Maryland Democratic Party Wednesday, a cash infusion the party says will help statewide campaign efforts for the fall.
“We have a variety of things we are going to be doing,” a Maryland Democratic spokesman said. Spokesman Isaac Salazar listed efforts to take advantage of new early-voting rules and a get-out-the-vote drive on election day.
“We are going to have a lot of folks we need to hire across the state,” he said. “It will support a lot of ongoing efforts we have in place.”
The cash transfer appears to be part of a national Democratic effort to funnel $50 million into states with competitive races. The party also moved money Wednesday to Florida and Pennsylvania, according to a Democratic source.
A pair of Maryland rematches are attracting national attention this cycle: the race between Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley; and the contest between freshman Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil and Republican state Sen. Andrew Harris in the 1st Congressional District.
O’Malley had $4.8 million in his campaign war chest in January, has access to other funds, and is widely expected to outraise Ehrlich, who has not had to report any campaign finance figures. Kratovil has $1.3 million for his re-election effort, compared to Harris’s $890,000 as of June 30.
The Maryland GOP apparently has not seen the same kind of support from the Republican National Committee, which is chaired by former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele.
An RNC spokesman said the DNC transfer “is a clear sign of just how vulnerable Governor O’Malley has become.” Spokesman Parish Braden said the RNC is making “an unprecedented investment this cycle to support the Maryland Republican Party and Republican campaign efforts across the state."
Braden said the RNC would help Maryland Republicans open seven staffed regional field offices to assist in get-out-the-vote efforts. He said RNC investment would help the state party hire staff dedicated to turning out early and absentee voters.
Maryland GOP chairwoman Audrey Scott said the Democrats were “extremely fortunate.”
Comments
The Democrats are trying to buy their way to a win.
Save Maryland - Vote out all incumbents! NO REPEATS in Office!
A time limit should be in place for all government public elected offices!
Posted by: John Smith | July 29, 2010 11:28 PM
So far Florida has received $666,000, Pennsylvania $333,000, Ohio $333,000 and Maryland $100,000 out of a pot of $21 million.
The Sun is reporting a total of $50 million, but the Washington Post's The Fix blog says $21 million and included in that number is also fund transfers to DSCC and DCCC.
One question on my mind is why the Baltimore Sun never asked O'Malley about the BP campaign dollars he solicited as DGA Finance Chair?
Posted by: John | July 30, 2010 12:34 AM
Why does money from out of State have to coem to Maryland. I tell you becuase the people of Maryland are tired of the Klan that has been controlling the leadership and it is time to elect new officals. VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS.
Posted by: Joe- Ball | July 30, 2010 9:33 AM
I am sure they will use that money to help get the illegal aliens out to vote who received voting rights in maryland through the motor voter laws. It definitely will help the negative ads campaign that OWE Malcontent is running against Ehrlich
Posted by: coastersgr8stang | July 31, 2010 8:00 AM
WHY should we be subjected to the form of BULLYING that the politicians have thrown our way this election year? Have they no sense of pride..Can they find nothing good to say about themselves? I do Not want any of them representing me in this upcoming election!
Posted by: Betty Christopher | October 19, 2010 12:48 PM