In Balto. Co. executive race, Dems raise big money
Three Democrats who may vie to replace Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz in 2018 have combined to raise more than $1.2 million in the past year, according to new campaign finance reports.
County Councilwoman Vicki Almond raised $244,000 to bring her available cash to more than $483,000, the most of any candidate who has said they're considering a run for county executive in 2018.
Sen. Jim Brochin is just behind Almond, having raised $248,000 and with $471,000 in the bank. Former state Del. John Olszewski Jr. raised $175,000, giving him about $300,000 on hand.
Kamenetz is term-limited as county executive and is considering a challenge to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in 2018. Kamenetz has $1.6 million in his campaign account, while Hogan and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford's campaign accounts total $5.1 million.
Candidates for state and county offices were required to file reports this week detailing their fundraising efforts over the past 12 months. Some have estimated it may take $1 million to mount a successful county executive campaign in Baltimore County, which is the state's third-largest jurisdiction.
Almond, who lives in Reisterstown, has said only that she's considering a run.
“After a yearlong fundraising break due to the County Council's quadrennial review of zoning issues, I am humbled by the broad support I received,” Almond said in a statement.
Brochin said his fundraising makes him viable as a county executive candidate, but he has not committed to running.
“A lot of the money came from people who are frustrated in the pay-to-play system in Baltimore County,” he said.
The Towson senator is sponsoring a bill in the General Assembly
Olszewski, who is from Dundalk and is considering running for county executive, told supporters in an email that he met his fundraising goal for the year.
The Republican field for the county executive's race
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