In a crowded field of Democrats vying for Maryland?s Third District Congressional seat, John Sarbanes surpassed his nearest rival by almost $300,000 in cash on hand, according to the most recent campaign finance reports, released this weekend.
To date, Sarbanes has raised a total of $789,112 in his bid to take the seat of longtime Maryland Rep. Ben Cardin, who is running for U.S. Senate. Sarbanes? campaign reported raising $303,050 betweenApril 1 and June 30 this year and has $585,465 in cash on hand.
State Sen. Paula Hollinger and Peter Beilenson rounded out the top three Democratic candidates. Hollinger has raised $634,944 so far, but reports having only $271,027 in cash at this point. Beilenson has raised $671,776 and has $291,538 of it in cash on hand.
Among the Republicans, Gary Applebaum was by far the front-runner, raising $259,770 and having almost all of it in cash still.
His next closest contender financially was John White, who has raised $105,875 and has $43,483 on hand.
Heading into the last two months before the September primary, the candidates spent the weekend door-knocking and attending house parties.
“We had a solid quarter,” Beilenson said. “The thing I?m most proud of is that we?re a homegrown campaign. Seventy-four percent of our donations are in the state, and a huge portion of that is in the district.”
Lisa Nissley, Hollinger?s campaign manager, said the campaign?s second quarter results were on target.
“We were not terribly shocked at how much money [Sarbanes] had in the bank,” said Nissley, referring to the name recognition Sarbanes inherited as the son of retiring longtime U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes.
“It?s particularly easy for Sarbanes to raise money. But our strongest attribute is that Sen. Hollinger ? actually has a base, so we?ll be out there trying to bring our message to that base.”
