John Delaney calls on Rob Garagiola to refrain from Special Interest contributions tied to the Majority Leader’s office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Potomac, Maryland, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 30, 2012 -- John Delaney’s campaign announced today that its Q4 reports for 2011 will show $118,000 in in-kind contributions, reflecting his filing for Congress on December 28, 2011, 3 days before the end of Q4.

Delaney indicated that since his campaign launch in early January, fundraising has been strong – including almost $75,000 through the Internet in the last 3 weeks, from donations as low as $5. “I’m so grateful that so many people concerned about Maryland’s economic future are donating in support of my campaign. I’m encouraged by our early fundraising and I’m confident that we’ll have the resources we need to win this race.”

Delaney also expressed concern about Maryland State Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola’s persistent fundraising overlap with the current legislative session. From 2007-2010, according to the Maryland Board of Elections, 68% of Garagiola’s legislative campaign funds came from special interest PACs and corporations, while only 23% came from individual contributions. And while Maryland legislators are forbidden to raise money for their campaigns during session, Garagiola has aggressively raised special interest money for his federal race during the course of this race.



“I’m running against a career politician who has learned how to shake the special interest money tree. This is just politics as usual and goes a long way toward voters’ disenchantment with their elected officials and the political process,” said Delaney.

“I urge Rob to return any funds, or refrain from taking any new funds, from any PACs or organizations that have a direct interest in legislation currently facing the Maryland General Assembly. As a State Senator who may vote on these issues, it risks a conflict of interest to pocket money from Maryland special interests for his general campaign while Maryland law prohibits legislators from taking funds for their state campaign accounts during session,” added Delaney.

congress     John Delaney     maryland     politics