A Republican newcomer raised $18,000 in the one month he has campaigned for an open Baltimore County seat in the General Assembly, his camp reported, though his fund is a far cry from the treasury of his Democratic opponents.
Attorney Jeffrey Yablon, a self-described moderate Republican running for the open state senate seat in District 11, in part credited the early response to an endorsement from Gov. Robert Ehrlich and an online donation campaign.
“The level of fundraising after just one month of campaigning for Senate continues to encourage and humble me as I realize the strong support for my candidacy,” Yablon said in a statement.
Current District 11 Del. Bobby Zirkin will face Scott Rifkin, a doctor who started the year with $102,300 in campaign funds, in a primary for the seat. Zirkin, part of an incumbent slate with a $60,000 campaign fund according to reports filed this week, estimated he has $80,000 cash on hand in his own fundraising account.
Both Zirkin and Yablon called their campaigns “grassroots.”
“I budgeted for what I need for this election, and I?ve got all I need,” Zirkin said. “We get the message out by knocking on thousands of doors.”
The district boasts the county?s open state senate seat as Paula Hollinger runs for Congress. Campaign experts said Zirkin?s slate will allow him to pool funds and cut expenses with mutual signs and ads, further distancing himself from his opponents.
State law prohibits contributors from donating more than $4,000 to an individual candidate?s fund and their slate fund, unless the slate donation is accompanied by a letter barring use onthe candidate.
But that policy is difficult to enforce, said Jared DeMarinis, director of candidacy and campaign finance of the state?s Board of Elections. Zirkin?s slate includes District 11 Dels. Jon Cardin and Dan Morhaim, who has directed $40,000 to the mutual account. Morhaim and Cardin will face 13 Democratic challengers in their primary.
