Cardin, Steele Lead Fund-Raising in U.S. Senate Race

Posted by TBN On 10/22/2005

Lt. Gov. Michael Steele raised $418,000 in the latest reporting period for an all-but-announced bid to become the first Republican senator from in 20 years. However, Steele lags far behind Rep. , D-, who raised $877,000 in the third quarter of the year, from July 1 to Sept. 30, for a total of $2.1 million so far. The two also hold the largest amounts of cash on hand, Cardin boasting $1.8 million and Steele $350,000. There are at least six Democrats, three Republicans and one independent candidate in an increasingly expensive race to replace Sen. , D-Md., who is not seeking re-election next year. The last time Maryland had an open Senate race was in 1986, when won the seat vacated by Sen. Charles Mathias Jr., R-Md. Steele's campaign has been an open secret for the last several months, with state Republican Party spokeswoman Audra Miller stressing several weeks ago that the party "was strongly hopeful" about his candidacy. "When it comes down to it, Michael Steele would be the best candidate to represent the people of Maryland because he listens and takes the time to listen to Marylanders," Miller said. A notice to e-mail subscribers on Steele's campaign Web site said, "In the coming weeks, Michael and his family will make a final decision to run. Shortly after that, the campaign will begin in earnest." On Wednesday, the Maryland Republican Party sent out a notice touting "a very special announcement" Steele will make Tuesday in Largo. Some political observers said Steele was probably formalizing his candidacy to enable raising more campaign funds. "It's easier to raise money once you're declared," said Blair Lee, a political columnist for the Gazette newspapers. Lee expressed surprise that Steele was not waiting longer to announce his candidacy, given no real competition for his party's nomination. "(Steele) can sit and watch the Democrats have a great food fight," Lee said. The money is already flying in the Democratic field. Democrat Lise Van Susteren, a forensic psychiatrist from Bethesda, received $250,000 in third-quarter contributions and holds $180,000 in cash. Kweisi Mfume of Baltimore, former Democratic congressman and former head of

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