The top fundraiser in the Howard County executive race, Democrat Ken Ulman, has received donations from across the nation, including $500 from singer Sheryl Crow.
“We also have a lot of friends and colleagues that are around the region and around the country, and they are supportive of me as well,” he said.
Perhaps the most notable donor is Crow, who is a good friend of Ulman?s brother, Doug Ulman, through the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Ulman said Crow was pleased with his role in saving the Merriweather Post Pavilion, which Ulman said was one of the singer?s favorite venues. He said the core support comes from Howard County.
Democrat Ulman raised $364,427, compared with Republican opponent Chris Merdon?s $186,181.01 in total receipts, according to financial reportsreleased this week.
In addition to a prior balance, Merdon has $304,402 in the bank, while Ulman reported $413,496.
Merdon, who also had a handful of out-of-state donations, said he is on target for what he planned.
“I am running a Howard County-based campaign,” he said.
Independent Steven Wallis, who raised $2,656, said other areas in the county could use that money rather than campaigns, and said funds should come from the people directly affected by the candidates.
“I find that obnoxious and egotistical and wasteful, and I would not spend half a million dollars to get me in office,” he said.
Paul Herrnson, director of the Center for American Politics and Citizenship at University of Maryland, said candidates wage two campaigns ? one for votes in their district, and another for money not limited by geography.
“The campaign for money begins much earlier and focuses on a more elite group of individuals, political activists and usually regular donors, and many of those don?t live in the district,” he said.
At a glance
Ken Ulman?s out-of-state contributions:
» Washington, D.C.: $5,000
» New York: $1,225
» Massachusetts: $2,925
» California: $650
» Virginia: $4,750
» Florida: $3,286
» Wyoming: $20
» Texas: $1,025
» North Carolina: $2,750
» Georgia: $350
» Arizona: $18
» New Jersey: $1,000
» Pennsylvania: $135
» Illinois: $300
» Ohio: $1,000
» Total: $24,434
Christopher Merdon?s out-of-state contributions:
» Washington, D.C.: $1,010
» Pennsylvania: $6,500
» Virginia: $2,141.22
» New Jersey: $1,000
» Texas: $2,000
» New York: $100
» Total: $12,751.22
Source: State Board of Elections
