Two first-term delegates seeking to oust senior state senators in Democratic primaries this June raised more than $100,000 in the past year, putting themselves in strong financial positions for the last five months of the campaign.
At the same time, two endangered Democratic senators who are running for reelection in highly competitive districts rang up substantial fundraising totals and have big cash-on-hand leads over the Republican delegates who are challenging them.
Those are some of the nuggets from the annual campaign finance reports that candidates for state and local offices released last week. Political professionals are watching at least 15 Senate races closely, either in the primary or the general election – or both.
Republicans are targeting six Senate districts held by Democrats, as they strive to make it harder for Gov. Larry Hogan’s (R) vetoes to be overturned, assuming Hogan wins a second term. But at the same time, several Democratic incumbents are imperiled by primary challengers. And several open seat Senate races are also worth tracking.
So here is some quick analysis of the fundraising totals in the key Senate races:
Democratic incumbents targeted in primaries:
District 23 – Prince George’s County
Senate Majority Leader Douglas J.J. Peters is trying to hold off a strong challenge from Tim Adams, a wealthy businessman and military contractor. Adams loaned his campaign $150,000, part of a $174,000 haul in the past year. He had $113,000 on hand as of mid-January.
But Peters, seeking a fourth term, has been no slouch on the fundraising front. He took in $99,000, finishing with $228,000 in the bank.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by John Kurtz over at Maryland Matters