Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith raised $100,000 for his re-election campaign so far this year, his campaign said, adding to a $1.3 million war chest to further distance the Democrat from political newcomers also running.
Smith has collected $2.1 million since taking office in 2002 and expects to raise significantly more in the final three months before voters head to the polls this year, campaign spokesman Sterling Clifford said Tuesday. State Trooper Clarence Bell Jr., a Republican challenger, said he has received $2,000 in donations since announcing his candidacy July 3, the last day to file.
Candidates across the state filed mandatory pre-primary finance reports Tuesday.
“This campaign finance report, like all the others, shows the county executive has a broad support base in the community,” Clifford said. “A lot of people appreciate the job he?s done and want him to continue for the next four years.”
Bell said Smith?s report of $100,000 in more than eight months could indicate the incumbent?s campaign is losing steam. Bell, whose first fundraiser was scheduled to be held at a Pikesville pool last night, blamed his modest donations on his late entry and a Republican opponent Norman Cioka, a county employee from Rosedale.
The Pikesville resident said he hopes more donations will flow after the primary.
“We?re ok with our plan and where we are and where we have to go in the time we have,” Bell said. “We?re focusing on name recognition and attending as many meetings and forums as we can.”
Bell estimated 100 people would come to his low-cost pool-side barbecue. More than 1,000 attended Smith?s $25 per ticket cookout in June at Oregon Ridge Park.
Political observers said other candidates need to raise as much or more than Smith to present a serious challenge ? and don?t have time to do so. Republican consultant Carol Hirschburg of Owings Mills said she speculates it would take a scandal to unseat Smith.
