Self-funded billionaire David Trone shows personal wealth is no guarantee of electoral success

Published June 24, 2026 3:27pm ET | Updated June 24, 2026 3:27pm ET



Billionaires can buy television ads, consultants, and campaign infrastructure. What they can’t buy is votes. 

That’s the lesson Maryland congressional candidate David Trone learned Tuesday night after dumping millions of his own dollars into a losing race. 

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