Democratic congressional candidate John Delaney has raised more than triple the campaign contributions of Maryland Sen. Rob Garagiola, his competitor for the Democratic nomination in the race for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, since Jan. 1.
To date, Delaney has raised $834,258 to Garagiola’s $577,140, Federal Election Commission documents show. Combined with the $1.25 million Delaney loaned his campaign, the contributions give him a significant financial advantage with just more than a week to go before the April 3 primary election.
Of the $167,909 Garagiola has left in the bank, approximately one-third — $54,100, according to campaign spokesman Andrew Platt — is earmarked for the general election. By comparison, approximately $40,000 of the $410,998 Delaney has left is required to be spent on the general election, according to campaign spokesman Justin Schall.
| Funding the race | ||
| John Delaney | Rob Garagiola | |
| Cash on hand as of 3/14 | $410,997.78 | $167,909.01 |
| Total contributions from individuals, Jan 1. through March 14 | $714,616.00 | $145,786.80 |
| Total contributions from individuals, start of campaign through March 14 | $715,216.00 | $401,178.67 |
| Total contributions from PACs, Jan 1. through March 14 | $1,000.00 | $87,540.99 |
| Total contributions from PACs, start of campaign through March 14 | $1,000.00 | $176,410.99 |
| Total contributed by candidate, start of campaign through March 14 | $118,041.58 | $0 |
| Loans, start of campaign through March 14 | $1,250,000.00 | $0 |
| Net contributions, Jan 1. through March 14 | $715,616.00 | $233,077.79 |
| Net contributions, start of campaign through March 14 | $834,257.58 | $577,139.66 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission | ||
Garagiola’s campaign plans to continue its canvassing and fundraising in the last week of campaigning, Platt said. “We’re raising enough money to meet the budget we set in December, and we fully expected that Delaney would try to buy the race. So there are no surprises here.”
Delaney plans to continue paying for radio, television and direct mail advertising, as well as phone banking and canvassing efforts, Schall said. He declined to offer further details.
The funds have come in quickly for Delaney, whose campaign had not raised any money before Jan. 1 except for the $118,042 that Delaney contributed himself. Schall said the fundraising successes are an indication that the campaign is gathering momentum. “It’s a sprint, and now is not the time to let up.”
He pointed out that the vast majority of Delaney’s contributions — 85.7 percent — have come from individuals, while only only 69.5 percent of Garagiola’s have come from individuals.
The rapid-pace fundraising is also a sign that “people don’t like gerrymandering,” Schall added, referring to the fact that the newly redrawn 6th District — which extends from Western Maryland to northern and western Montgomery County — is widely considered to have been drawn for Garagiola.
Although Delaney, a Potomac resident for the past 10 years, lives in the 8th District, he is not required to live in District 6 to run for the seat, according to the Maryland Board of Elections.
The seat is currently held by 10-term incumbent Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican who is running for re-election.
