Gearing Up for Costly Races
Fundraising Quickens for Executive Bids

By Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 19, 2006

Montgomery County Council member Steven A. Silverman has outspent Isiah Leggett, his Democratic primary opponent for county executive, by more than 10 to 1 but still has more money than Leggett in the bank.

New campaign finance numbers out yesterday underscore the different strategies between the candidates. Silverman (D-At Large), who has raised nearly $1.4 million, has spent prodigiously to build his campaign organization and bolster his profile against Leggett, a former four-term council member and past president of the state Democratic Party.

But Leggett starts the year with $423,000 in the bank, about $300,000 less than Silverman, setting the stage for what many believe will be a very competitive race. Leggett, who didn't begin raising money until last year, presented an aura of calm about the disparity.

"We are committed to making certain our opponent spends every penny they got in the bank, and we are going to have what we need to beat him," Leggett said in an interview.

Across the Maryland suburbs, candidates for county executive are reporting brisk fundraising totals, which could lead to costly races. Several candidates have already tapped into their personal wealth, lending their campaigns six-figure sums.

In Prince George's, County Executive Jack B. Johnson held a huge cash advantage over his declared Democratic primary challenger, former delegate Rushern L. Baker III. In the last reporting period, Baker reported raising about $141,000 for his bid to unseat the first-term executive, including a $10,000 loan to his campaign. Baker also retired about $60,000 in debt from his failed 2002 campaign for county executive. He had about $75,000 on hand for his underdog effort.

Johnson's campaign said it had just less than $1 million on hand, after raising about $340,000 and spending just more than $68,000 in the last reporting period, 2005.

Johnson has not formally declared his candidacy for reelection and has sought to present himself as above the fray, brushing off Baker's criticisms of his record on crime and schools. Johnson depicts himself as a hands-on incumbent who has promoted business development, public safety and education in a county on the rise.

In the hotly contested race for the Republican nomination for Anne Arundel county executive, Del. John R. Leopold led the way, with $450,000, which includes a $200,000 loan from himself, the campaign said.

Leopold is facing former delegate Phil Bissett, the Republican nominee for executive in 2002, and Del. David G. Boschert, as well as two lesser known Republicans. Bissett has $70,000 on hand, while Boschert lags behind with $14,000.

The only Democrat to announce for the race so far is Anne Arundel County Sheriff George F. Johnson IV, who reports $320,000 in the bank.

In Howard County, County Council members Christopher J. Merdon (R-Northeast County) and Ken Ulman (D-West Columbia) are vying to replace County Executive James N. Robey (D), who is running for the state Senate because he's barred from seeking a third term. Merdon's campaign has about $223,000 in cash, while Ulman has $196,000 in the bank, according to campaign reports.

The costliest race is shaping up to be in Montgomery, where Silverman, Leggett and Robin Ficker (R) are vying to replace County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D), who is running for governor.

In the past year, Silverman has raised $551,000, spending much of it. He starts the year with about $731,000 in the bank, just half of what he says he raised since his all-but-announced candidacy began three years ago.

Last month, Silverman, a two-term council member, announced that he had hired the same pollster and media and direct-mail consultants used by Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) in his campaign last year.

"We opened up a campaign office, and Steve is committed to reaching every one of the county's 1 million residents, so we have put money into that effort," said Judy Jablow, a Silverman spokeswoman.

Leggett has raised about $482,000 in 2005, including lending his campaign $125,000.

While Silverman is spending early to ramp up his campaign, Leggett has been frugal, spending just $61,471.

Ficker, the only announced Republican candidate in the race, is largely self-financing his effort. The lawyer and anti-tax activist said he has $108,000 in the bank, the bulk of which came from a $126,000 personal loan.

Staff writers Nick Anderson, Christian Davenport and Miranda S. Spivack contributed to this report.