congressional fundraising

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported having more than $45 million in cash on hand at the end of April, according to reports filed yesterday with the Federal Election Commission, while the National Republican Congressional Committee reported about $6.7 million cash on hand.

That stark difference could be significant in Maryland's 1st congressional district, where state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) and State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) are expected to be in a competitive race.

Congressional candidate Frank KratovilSteve Meehan, deputy campaign manager for 1st congressional district candidate Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), expressed confidence today that the campaign could financially compete with rival Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville).

Yesterday, we reported on Harris' confidence in his campaigns ability to "raise between 3 and $400,000" per financial quarter.

Comparing fundraising to "a game of golf," Meehan told PolitickerMD.com, "You have to continuously advance the ball."

Acknowledging that Harris "has been good" at raising funds, Meehan said he did not know if the campaign could draw-even with their opponent financially, but said, "We're working very hard."

State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) told PolitickerMD.com that he was "not concerned" about the lack of funding his congressional campaign is expecting to receive from the financially strapped National Republican Congressional Committee.

"I've always been able to raise funds in state Senate," Harris said, adding, "I've been near the top in money raised among Republicans."

The NRCC spent $1.27 million, nearly 20 percent of their cash on hand, on last Tuesday's special election in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District, where the Democratic candidate prevailed. The committee has spent more than $3 million, all in losing efforts, in its attempts to hold GOP seats in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi.