Hogan maintains edge in donations
Jealous raises $1.8 million in recent period but still trails governor in cash on hand
Gov. Larry Hogan’s campaign reported Friday he has raised more than $2.4 million in the past two months — giving him a hefty $3.3 million to spend in the final days before the Nov. 6 election.
The Republican governor maintained a significant cash advantage over his Democratic challenger Ben Jealous, who reported raising $1.8 million over the same time period — with $275,000 in cash on hand.
That’s about 12 times more campaign cash for Hogan than Jealous.
“Governor Hogan’s broad and deep support among Marylanders of all political stripes continues to be reflected in his strong fundraising numbers,” said Scott Sloofman, Hogan’s campaign spokesman. “He has taken his bipartisan message to all corners of Maryland, and they have embraced it.”
The fundraising reports cover Aug. 22 through Oct. 21. Neither campaign had filed its report with the State Board of Elections Friday evening; the deadline to do so is midnight Friday. It’s the final campaign finance reporting deadline before the election.
Sloofman said 78 percent of Hogan’s donations were smaller than $200. Of Hogan’s donations, 95 percent come from Marylanders, the campaign said.
The Jealous campaign said the Democrat has turned down donations from large corporations, pharmaceutical companies and fossil fuel interests.
Travis Tazelaar, Jealous’ campaign manager, said he was undeterred by Hogan’s cash advantage.
He said the Jealous campaign is planning to bring more than1million Democrats to the polls as part of a nationwide “blue wave” that will sweep Republicans from office.
“This campaign has always been about maximizing voter turnout,” Tazelaar said. "Marylanders have consistently backed Ben's message of fully funding public education, creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and building an inclusive economy. Now, in the final days of the campaign, we have mobilized more than 50 organizers and an army of volunteers to engage in get out the vote efforts which we are certain will yield victory come Election Day.”
In addition to their own campaign money, the candidates have received ample outside help with television advertising.
Throughout the campaign, Hogan has benefited from more than $3.2 million in attack ads against Jealous run by the Republican Governors Association.
Democrats have begun striking back with the Democratic Governors Association running ads criticizing Hogan’s record on education with what the group calls a “significant six-figure buy.”
On Friday, a pro-Jealous political action committee, Maryland Together We Rise, released its latest television ad. The positive piece will air in both the Baltimore and Washington media markets over the weekend, and is part of a larger, nearly $3 million campaign in support of Jealous.
“Marylanders are starting to vote, and they are enthusiastic for a candidate like Ben Jealous who will pursue opportunity for all Marylanders,” said Maryland Together We Rise Treasurer Marvin Randolph. “Jealous is the candidate with a bold vision who will stand up for our kids and for our families and get our schools back to number one again.”