Brochin may run for Baltimore County Executive

State Sen. James Brochin (D-Towson) confirmed that he is “very interested” in running for the position of county executive in Baltimore County.

Speaking with PolitickerMD.com, Brochin said a potential run at the seat in 2010 would be “totally contingent on how much money I raise.”

“In order to win that race you need about $700,000,” Brochin said, adding, “I am woefully short of that.”

The senator said he has typically been able to raise about 200 to $250,000 in previous campaigns. Brochin was elected to the Senate in 2002, and subsequently re-elected in 2006.

Current Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith (D) is bound by term limits, and may not seek re-election 2010.

Brochin, a political moderate, said his interest in becoming county executive has nothing to do with a potential senate primary challenge that he may face in 2010.

Speculation has arisen that Democratic insiders are recruiting Martin G. Knott, a businessman, to run against Brochin in the 2010 Democratic primary, should the senator seek re-election. (Update: Knott confirms interest in Brochin's seat)

Brochin did not seem concerned, saying, “I may not even face a primary challenge.”

Knott has yet to announce whether or not he will run for the senate in 2010.

Brochin said he was “internally debating” his plans for 2010, and said a “considerable amount of people have been asking me to run” for county executive.

“I have a common bond with people in the county who are tired of development,” Brochin said. “People are sick of it.”

The senator also said that if he is able to raise $750,000 by April 2010, “I can’t see why I wouldn’t run” for county executive.