Pickard leads other Democrats in cash on hand in Anne Arundel County executive race

A month out from the Maryland primary election, one Democratic candidate for Anne Arundel County executive has pulled far ahead, at least in terms of fundraising.

County Councilwoman Allison Pickard had more than $407,000 in her campaign account as of May 12, according to her latest filing with state elections officials — more than double what her opponents have on hand.

County Councilman Pete Smith reported more than $145,000 in his campaign account, and James Kitchin, a special assistant to County Executive Steuart Pittman, had more than $118,000 on hand as of May 12.

Kitchin, who is using the county’s public campaign financing, is due about $67,800 in pending matching funds, according to the campaign. Added to his reported cash on hand as of May 12, that would bring Kitchin’s total up to about $186,700.

However, Kitchin’s campaign submits a matching fund report twice each month. In a May 19 filing, which covers spending and donations through May 18, the campaign reported spending $65,000 on media consulting and a reported cash on hand of $56,815 — meaning his total would be closer to $124,600 after the matching funds.

In an emailed statement, Pickard framed her fundraising edge as an endorsement of her policies.

“Voters have responded enthusiastically to our focus on tackling the rising cost of living and defending Anne Arundel County from the harms of the Trump administration,” she said.

Kitchin’s campaign said in a statement that the county has a record of candidates who raise more money being beaten by those with the best message.

Voters, not donors, elect people, the statement said.

Smith’s campaign manager, Matthew Cramer, said donors are contributing “faster than ever.” Now is the time, he said, to invest in getting the campaign’s message out.

Smith’s campaign spent about $5,000 more during this reporting period (Jan. 15 to May 12) than he received in contributions.

“That’s how you run an aggressive race, and that’s how you win,” Cramer said in an email.

A fourth Democratic candidate for county executive, Kyle Nembhard, a transportation planner, reported just $828.34 in his campaign account.

The only Republican running, Dave Crawford, reported slightly more than $48,000 cash on hand. He will face off against the Democratic candidate in November.

Anne Arundel County has increasingly voted Democratic in recent years. Dan Nataf, a professor of political science at Anne Arundel Community College, said he thinks the county could see “similar dynamics that played out in 2022″ in the 2026 election.

That year, Democrats won every county-wide race.

Nataf said it’s difficult to speculate on the state of the primary race, and what the cash on hand balances mean for the candidates, especially since mail ballots have already been sent out.

“No one would say it’s a bad thing to have a lot of money in the bank. It gives you potential to do a lot of outreach,” Nataf said.

But, he said, enthusiastic and engaged voters may have made up their minds already.

Pickard’s campaign also pointed to a recent straw poll that saw her win 57% in the four-way vote. The straw poll was of about 120 voters after a candidate forum hosted by the Anne Arundel County Young Democrats and the District 30 Democratic Club.

Neither the Young Democrats nor the District 30 club responded to a request for comment.

A survey earlier this year, conducted by the Center for the Study of Local Issues at Anne Arundel Community College, hinted at a tight, three-way race between Kitchin, Pickard and Smith.

That survey showed Kitchin with 38% support, Pickard with 33% and Smith with 30%; it polled a small group of around 200 Democratic voters who said they were paying “close attention” to the primary in early April.

Such narrow margins from tiny samples arguably suggest the race is tight. And in a race where little separates the candidates politically, likability and who gets out their voters could make a difference.

Nataf said the poll did not show one candidate “who seems to be clearly ahead” at the time it was released.

Early voting runs from June 11-18. The primary election will be held on June 23.