Watson Outpaces Other Council Members, Raises $254,000 in 2012

2012 was a great fundraising year for Howard County Council member Courtney Watson.

Watson, a Democrat who represents Ellicott City, Elkridge and Hanover in the First Council District, raised $254,410 in 2012, more than the total fundraising numbers of the four other Council members combined. She has a total of $374,457 cash on hand.

"I am working hard to make Howard County an even better place to live and work," said Watson in a statement announcing her fundraising figures. "We should all be proud of the progress we are making."

Watson has not formally announced whether or not she'll run for County Executive in 2014, when Ken Ulman must step down from the post due to term limits.

In a recent Baltimore Sun report, she said she has been encouraged to run, but would make a decision when it's least distracting to her work on the Council.

Calvin Ball, who represents East Columbia as well as portions of Elkridge, Ellicott City and Jessup in the Second District, raised $85,424 in 2012 and currently has $190,383 in cash on hand.

"I'm pleased, and honored by the support that I've received," said Ball about his 2012 fundraising. As to whether he'll be pursuing the County Executive post in 2014, Ball wouldn't say. 

"Im always humbled by those who suggest I should consider it," said Ball. "At this time, I'm focused on ensuring that I have sufficient resources to continue serving our community."

New County Council chairperson Jen Terrasa, District 3, raised $15,032 in 2012 and currently has $20,880 in cash on hand.

Both Mary Kay Sigaty, District 4, and Greg Fox, District 5, raised less than $1,000 in 2012.

Fox, the lone Republican on the Council, who represents western Howard County, raised $800 in 2012 and currently has $6,110 in cash on hand.

"I have done exactly zero fundraisers," said Fox, during a tour of Howard Community College's new Health Sciences Building. "Just like taxes, I don't like to take people's money unless I have to."

Sigaty, the former Council chair, raised $753 in 2012, bringing her cash on hand total to $21,120.

Fundraising Totals for Potential County Executive Candidates

Watson and Ball are not the only Howard County politicians potentially eyeing the County Executive post. State senator Alan Kittleman announced he was organizing a campaign to potentially run for County Executive in June and Del. Guy Guzzone (D-Dist. 13) has said he'll make a decision by April on whether to run for executive.

Kittleman, a Republican who represents parts of Carroll and Howard Counties, raised $170,655 in 2012 and has $184,193 cash on hand.

Kittleman recently told the Sun that running for County Executive as a Republican in Howard County would be an "uphill battle", but that he believes he has a crossover philosophy "of fiscal responsibility and social libertarianism" that appeals to both Democrats and Independents.

Guzzone, a Democrat, who has represented the county in the state legislature since 2007, raised $61,599 in 2012 and currently holds $227,475 in cash on hand.

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