Odenton: Top Presidential Campaign Contributors

Maryland voters will head to the polls on April 26 to cast their ballots for the presidential nomination in each party, and if campaign contributions are any indication of appeal, the Democratic nominee will have the edge.

According to publicly available contribution data from the Federal Election Commission, the Democrats, led by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have received $6.012 million in donations from Maryland residents. By contrast, the crowded GOP field has brought in a total of $2.134 million.

Clinton’s formidable campaign operation has raised $3,887,603 from Maryland voters, followed by former Gov. Martin O’Malley, who dropped out of the race earlier this month, at $1,526,805. Coming in a distant third was Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders with $570,382.

That’s somewhat in line with nationwide numbers that show Clinton with $126.4 million in individual contributions compared to $95.4 million for Sanders.

Those numbers, though, are a bit misleading.

While Clinton’s campaign has raised big bucks from individuals, she’s also been helped by massive money pouring in through Priorities USA Action, a pro-Clinton Super PAC that has raised more than $50 million in support of the former Secretary of State, according to OpenSecrets.

Sanders has raised just $44,968 from outside groups, according to OpenSecrets.

GOP Donations in Maryland

Donations show it could be a close race on the Republican side.

Neurosurgeon Ben Carson has raised $527,577 in individual donations in the state, according to publicly available contribution data from the Federal Election Commission, despite polling in last place among remaining candidates nationally.

Here’s how much the other Republican candidates have taken in from Marylanders:

• Texas Sen. Ted Cruz — $303,896
• Florida Sen. Marco Rubio — $283,841
• Ohio Gov. John Kasich — $54,343
• Donald Trump — $22,494

National contribution numbers tell a similar story, with Carson leading the way, followed by Cruz, Rubio, Trump and Kasich.

Those numbers, though, are a bit misleading.

While the campaigns have raised plenty of money through individual contributions, Super PACs have poured tons of money to support campaigns as well.

Outside groups have raised $46,726,605 for Cruz, $13,807,549 for Carson, $34,313,903 for Rubio, $6,729,311 for Kasich and $1,894,509 for Trump, according to OpenSecrets.

The maximum amount of money an individual can give to a campaign under federal law is $2,700.

Following voting in four states, Trump holds a commanding lead in delegate count with 82. Cruz has 17 pledged delegates, Rubio 16, Kasich 6 and Carson 4.

The last time Maryland voted in a Republican presidential primary, the state’s citizens chose Mitt Romney over Rick Santorum, 49 to 29 percent.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on election day.