Leopold raises Peanuts

John Leopold was the first candidate from the area to post his campaign finance report for this cycle. And his fundraising total was, shall we say, a paltry $8,330. And of that $8,330, 18-percent of it was PAC money from the Maryland Realtors PAC and Outback Steakhouse PAC.

Now, I don't begrudge the fact that Leopold has taken PAC money. Unfortunately, that is the nature of doing business these days. But you can't take PAC money and at the same time say you aren't "beholden to special interests" because you have loaned your campaign $355,263.83 from your trust fund either.

What's really puzzling: Leopold's website says that his campaign currently has $450,000 in the bank. His statement (above) says he has $412, 285.01. So either his campaign website is wrong or his campaign finance statement is wrong. Somewhere, Leopold is lying about his cash on hand.

What's amazing is that it is theoretically possible for Leopold to finish dead last in fundraising among the seven candidates for County Executive during this cycle. Not that it really matters. Money will not buy you happiness on September 12th.