Montgomery County Council members have lined their campaign war chests with hundreds of thousands of dollars in advance of the Sept. 14 primary, a financial edge that political observers expect to yield a mostly unchanged council in coming months.
Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg, D-at large, has so far amassed more than $312,000 in contributions, campaign finance records show, and most council members secured more than $100,000 in donations.
“Money can’t win a race, but it certainly can lose a race,” said Councilman Mike Knapp, D-Germantown, the lone council member not seeking re-election this year.
He said deep pockets have become even more essential with the increasing price of Washington-area media buys.
Contributions for 2010 election
» Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg: $312,043.68
» Councilwoman Nancy Navarro: $221,718.49
» Councilman George Leventhal: $184,844.66
» Councilwoman Valerie Ervin: $141,081.06
» Councilman Roger Berliner: $130,874.64
» Council President Nancy Floreen: $101,904.60
» Councilman Phil Andrews: $60,356.80
» Councilman Marc Elrich: $36,546.87
» Councilman Mike Knapp (not seeking re-election): $36,109.88
Source: Maryland Elections Center
The campaign finance records show Montgomery politicians secured money from a variety of sources other than county residents. » Businesses make up 30 percent of nearly half a million dollars in donations to County Executive Ike Leggett.
» Maryland political action committees account for nearly one-third of contributions to Councilwoman Nancy Navarro, D-Eastern County.
» About 10 percent of contributions to Council President Nancy Floreen were from out-of-state political organizations.
Bucking the trend, Councilman Phil Andrews, D-Gaithersburg/Rockville, received 99 percent of contributions from individuals.
Councilman Marc Elrich, D-at large, netted around $36,000, the lowest among council members seeking re-election this year. He says the discrepancy is because he refuses to accept money from developers, citing the council’s land use responsibilities.
“People know I don’t have money,” he said. “A lot of people actually like that. It’s become a selling point with voters.”
The anti-incumbent mood defining political races nationwide is less evident in Montgomery County, with Leggett and three council members running unopposed in next month’s Democratic primary.
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