Md. Candidates Release Campaign Financing Reports

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and his running mate, Ken Ulman, reported $7 million cash on hand in the Maryland governor's race Wednesday night. Attorney General Doug Gansler and his running mate, Del. Jolene Ivey, reported $6.3 million.

Del. Heather Mizeur's campaign said she will report raising about $1.5 million for the cycle. They are running for the Democratic nomination for the governorship. Fundraising reports for the last year were due late Wednesday night.

Maryland Republican candidates in the race are significantly behind by comparison in raising money.

Harford County Executive David Craig reported the most cash on hand of the GOP candidates, with $154,577. Del. Ron George of Anne Arundel County reported having about $15,500. Charles Lollar reported $5,730 in his campaign.

A fourth candidate, Larry Hogan, is scheduled to officially announce his bid for the GOP nomination next week.

Jim Petitt, a spokesman for Craig's campaign, said Craig is focusing on grassroots campaigning with stops all over the state. Petitt said fundraising will get greater attention after the state's legislative session ends in April.

"The campaign is a marathon, not a sprint," Petitt said.

Brown and Ulman, the Howard County executive who had been weighing a run for governor himself before becoming Brown's running mate, announced a total of $5.4 million in contributions last year from 6,121 contributors.

Gansler and Ivey reported raising nearly $1.7 million in the latest filing period, from Jan. 10, 2013 to Jan. 8, 2014. Gansler had already built up substantial campaign funds in recent years. He did not face a Republican opponent for attorney general in 2010.

Maryland's primary is scheduled for June 24.

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