State’s Attorney candidate Thiru Vignarajah filed his campaign finance disclosure tonight, reporting that his campaign has raised over $600,000 since entering the race in late March. This total appears to be the most ever raised by any State’s Attorney candidate in any jurisdiction in Maryland history.
The substantial raise, on top of an inherited balance of $82,461 and thanks to a low “burn rate” with only $41,562 in expenses over 11 weeks, leaves the Vignarajah campaign with $641,483 cash on hand with five weeks to go.
Impressively, Vignarajah’s fundraising and cash on hand totals are more than both of his two opponents combined.
The campaign’s impressive fundraising haul cements Vignarajah as the frontrunner in the race, building on a string of endorsements from Republican Governor Larry Hogan, former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, national Democratic icon Willie Brown, and five of Baltimore’s police commissioners.
Finance Director Claudia Towles extolled Vignarajah’s fundraising strategy and success, “In just over two months, Thiru has built an effective organization and inspired hundreds of supporters to contribute to this movement. It reflects the fierce loyalty of his base and the appetite for change.”
Political Director Anthony McCarthy added, “The moment I met Thiru I knew he was special and the perfect candidate for this position. Not just because of his love for the city and ability to inspire everyone around him, but also his management skills, unrivaled experience, and tireless work ethic. We have the resources to get Thiru’s message out because of the team he has built and the enthusiasm of his advocates.”
Vignarajah’s campaign noted that 60% of donations were $100 or less, and over 50% of donors were from Baltimore City and over 90% from Maryland. Among Vignarajah’s financial supporters are former Federal Judge Benson Legg before whom Vignarajah prosecuted cases; Michael Breyer, the son of Justice Stephen Breyer for whom Vignarajah clerked; Professor Rogers Smith, the former Yale professor under whom Vignarajah studied; retired Baltimore County Homicide Detective Brian Wolf and Baltimore City Homicide Detective Mark Veney, with whom Vignarajah worked; former Deputy White House Counsel Michael Bosworth; as well as former Acting Baltimore County Executive Don Mohler, Former Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino, former State Senator Frank Kelly, former Chairman of the Board at Johns Hopkins University Morris Offit; former head of Sony Television, Steve Mosko; and former football coach at Gilman, St. Frances, and Michigan Biff Poggi.
