Trone helped fund dozens of endorsers

But the contributions don’t necessarily buy political influence, expert cautions

David Trone has helped fund the campaigns of more than 50 elected officials who have since endorsed him in his Democratic U.S. Senate primary contest against Angela Alsobrooks, according to federal and state campaign records.

Among those receiving contributions from the wealthy congressman in recent years are 31 current or former U.S. House members and dozens of state officials such as Attorney General Anthony Brown and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy.

Trone, a third-term congressman, and Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County executive, are the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. Former Republican

Gov. Larry Hogan is the likely Republican nominee.

Early voting begins May 2, and the primary is May 14. Trone leads Alsobrooks 48% to 29%, according to an April 7-10 poll sponsored by The Baltimore Sun, FOX45 and the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy. Trone’s lead dropped to 50% to 38% when the 600 Democratic primary respondents were asked to choose only between those two.

With little separating Trone and Alsobrooks on key issues such as abortion and gun violence, the rival Democrats have scrambled to capture endorsements.

Brown, a former lieutenant governor and congressman, has become one of Trone’s highest-profile backers after appearing earlier this month in a campaign ad in