Report: Ulman Plans to Fundraise During Legislative Session

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman plans to fundraise during the 2014 legislative session, even though his running mate Anthony Brown and many of their competitors in the gubernatorial election are barred from doing so, according to a Washington Post report.

The Maryland State Board of Elections ruled Ulman could raise funds, even though Brown, as a statewide officeholder, cannot during the legislative session due to Maryland law.

The Post reported that Justin Schall, Brown's campaign manager, said Ulman plans to raise money during the session, but will use a separate account from Brown's campaign fund.

Attorney General Doug Gansler and Common Cause Maryland, a nonpartisan state watchdog group, both criticized the decision to continue fundraising in press releases.

Gansler is Brown's leading competitor for the governor's office as well as a statewide office holder who can't fundraise during the session. 

"Running for governor and, ultimately, being governor, means you must take a stand for what's right," said Gansler in a release. "Accepting money from powerful special interests during legislative session is not only illegal, it is unethical. Do not ask your running mate to do what you are barred from doing. Either you open the door to special interests, or you keep it closed."

Gansler's running mate, Delegate Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George's), is also a statewide office holder and therefore barred from fundraising during the 2014 session, which begins on Jan. 8 and is scheduled to run until April 7.

Common Cause expressed concern over the fairness of allowing certain candidates to fundraise, while others cannot.

"This guidance allows some elected officials to skirt critical ethics reforms intended to limit the corrupting influence of fundraising during the 90 day legislative session,” said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, Executive Director of Common Cause Maryland, in a statement.

The ruling doesn't affect the fundraising of Del. Heather Mizeur, a Montgomery Democrat, who is trailing in polls behind Gansler and Brown. She accepted public financing, which allows her to accept low-dollar donations, even though she's a statewide official, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Harford County Executive David R. Craig, a Republican candidate, is also allowed to fundraise during the session as a result of the ruling.

Ulman has proved he can be an effective fundraiser. In January 2012, he reported a total of $2.1 million in his campaign account, almost double Brown's $1.6 million. Gansler reported $5 million at that time.

In October, Brown's campaign announced they hit $2 million in 2013 fundraising. Schall said in early December that Brown and Ulman have been hosting about five to 12 fundraisers a week, according to the Baltimore Sun.