Politics

U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.), who has put more than $12.5 million into his reelection campaign, apparently did not feel the need to restock his campaign treasury over the past three months. According to newly-released campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission over the weekend, Trone raised $244,046 between July 1 and Sept. 30 for his competitive rematch with state Del. Neil Parrott (R-Washington). But that money came from donors; Trone, the wealthy owner of a national chain of liquor stores, did not put any of his own money into the campaign during this three-month period.

Democratic congressional challenger Heather Mizeur again reported raising more campaign money than Republican Rep. Andy Harris in Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Harford County congressional district, but the incumbent, who is seeking a seventh term, held more in reserve as their first debate approached. Mizeur, who does not accept corporate political action committee contributions, reported raising more than $542,000 in the three months ending Sept. 30 — more than any recent challengers to Harris had accumulated during the same period. Harris, an anesthesiologist and supporter of former President Donald Trump who is the only Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation, has routinely topped 60% of the vote in his previous reelection campaigns.

Kevin Ford Jr. works to educate Marylanders on how the cannabis industry can bring positive changes to Black and brown communities, whose families have historically been harmed by inequities in marijuana prosecutions. Ford serves as executive director of Uplift Action Fund Inc., a super PAC that recently began a get out the vote campaign urging support for the statewide ballot question that would legalize recreational cannabis use. His organization seeks $30,000 to spread the word through social media, digital ads and other forms of communication. According to a recent campaign finance filing, the PAC has raised $3,600 so far. Ford is among many Marylanders who use cannabis for medicinal purposes.

After shunning the Trump-aligned top of the GOP ticket in Maryland, popular and outgoing Gov. Larry Hogan plans to appear in just one scripted television ad boosting Republican candidates in the state he led for eight years, political advisers said Thursday. In a spot appearing this weekend on broadcast and digital platforms, Hogan (R) banters with comptroller candidate Barry Glassman, talking about the role of moderates in a Democrat-dominated state and driving a convertible — in the middle of the road. Hogan has refused to endorse the far-right Republican nominees for governor and attorney general, even saying gubernatorial hopeful Del. Dan Cox (R-Frederick) “is not, in my opinion, mentally stable.”