Ehrlich Outraising Foes

Campaign Totals Show Md. GOP Gaining Strength

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich has raised more money than his two Democratic rivals combined. (By Susan Biddle -- The Washington Post)

In a state where Democrats dominate the voter rolls and long held a lock on power, Maryland Republicans offered compelling evidence -- in fundraising totals released yesterday -- that they will be a formidable force in this year's elections.

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. reported raising $10.8 million to date for his reelection bid, Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele's campaign said he has taken in $1.27 million for the U.S. Senate race, and the state Republican Party account showed a sizable financial edge over the Democrats.

"It shows that our message is resonating with the people of the state," said GOP spokeswoman Audra Miller.

"In a 2-to-1 Democratic state," replied Derek Walker, executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party, "we don't need to match Republicans dollar for dollar."

Ehrlich's total exceeds the amount he raised during his entire 2002 campaign and that raised by both of his Democratic opponents combined. But a closer look at the filings shows the governor and his nearest Democratic rival on roughly the same fundraising pace over the past year. During that period, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley took in $4.3 million and Ehrlich raised about $4.9 million, according to aides.

Over the past three years, O'Malley has raised about $7 million, but some of that went toward his mayoral reelection campaign in 2004. At this time last year, the mayor had about $1 million in the bank, while Ehrlich had banked about $4.5 million. Ehrlich's other Democratic rival, Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, had about $1.5 million.

In the past year, Duncan raised another $1.3 million but spent all of it and more, leaving $1.36 million in his account. O'Malley has $4.2 million left to spend, while Ehrlich has $8.4 million.

In the race for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, Republicans say they believe Steele is their first highly competitive Senate candidate in more than 20 years. Still, Steele trails Democratic Rep. Benjamin Cardin, who said he has raised $2.8 million and will have $2.1 million on hand when federal filings are due at the end of this month. Former Democratic congressman and NAACP president Kweisi Mfume has said he expects to show about $400,000 in that report.

The two Democratic candidates for governor will have a brief opportunity to play catch-up with Ehrlich because they are permitted to continue raising money during the 90-day legislative session that opened last week. By law, Ehrlich cannot solicit money during that period.

"We look forward in the next few weeks to narrowing the gap further, but we never expect and don't believe we need to go dollar for dollar with the governor," said Jonathan Epstein, O'Malley's campaign manager.

The Duncan camp, which took heat even from supporters for posting a comparatively spartan fundraising total yesterday, made light of the governor's report -- and specifically his incorrect assertion during an interview that he had not been the guest of honor at a fundraiser hosted by Wal-Mart. The December 2004 event was held just before the General Assembly considered legislation forcing the giant retailer to pay more for employee health care. The governor's press secretary later said Ehrlich "misspoke."

"We can assume, despite the governor's memory lapse, that the Wal-Mart fundraiser was a big success," said Scott Arceneaux, Duncan's campaign manager. "Regardless, all the money in the world cannot change his record or the last three years of failed leadership."