Richard Matthews

COLLEGE PARK -- Patrick Citroni held his last campaign event on Thursday, though he wasn't alive to see it. The former campaign manager of Republican Richard Matthews was killed last month in a motorcycle accident at age 29.

But before his death, Citroni began organizing what would be his last and perhaps most relevant event to highlight his legacy - a fundraiser featuring Ron Paul and his Campaign for Liberty PAC.

"He did all the initial prep work," Matthews told PolitickerMD.com during a VIP reception for Ron Paul on Thursday. "He got this event going." Citroni's family, including his father who began the rally with a speech, attended the event as well.

Ron Paul: Politicker.com PhotoCOLLEGE PARK -- U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) dropped into Maryland Thursday to show his support for five of Maryland's Republican Congressional candidates. The event -- designed to raise cash for the candidates' campaigns -- was held at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland in College Park.

Paul, who made an unsuccessful bid for president in 2008, says a lot of enthusiasm resulted from the campaign.

Ron Paul (R-Texas) will publicly endorse Maryland's Republican candidates for U.S. House at a fundraiser on Thursday.

Each candidate has been invited to speak at the rally. Richard Matthews (MD-2), Peter James (MD-4), Collins Bailey (MD-5) and Mike Hargadon (MD-7) have all confirmed.

Patrick CitroniThe campaign manager of Republican Richard Matthews died Thursday morning in a motorcycle accident.

The 2nd Congressional District hopeful learned of Patrick J. Citroni's death just 90 minutes before a forum Thursday evening sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Harford County.

But Matthews decided to go through with the debate anyway.

Republican Richard Matthews, who is currently challenging U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Baltimore) in MD-2, reported raising $5,310 in the second quarter and has $2527.41 cash on hand according to Federal Election Commission reports. 

Matthews has received $6,265 in total contributions to date for this election.

Matthews, a computer systems engineer, is competing for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District seat, which Ruppersberger has held since 2002. 

U.S. Rep. Dutch RuppersbergerU.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Baltimore), who currently holds Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District seat, reported raising $187,326.96 in the second fundraising quarter and has $760,358.79 cash on hand according to Federal Election Commission reports.

Ruppersberger has received $898,161.46 total contributions to date for this election.

Records for his opponent, Republican Richard Matthews were not available. Ruppersberger was first elected in 2002 to the MD-2 seat.