Brochin explores executive run
Two-term legislator Jim Brochin confirmed that in May he convened a meeting of advisers, many important to his previous Senate campaigns and one current county legislator whom he declined to name. Also in attendance was his media consultant, whom he flew up from Florida.
“I feel because of my independence, I question if I can be more effective being county executive,” said Brochin, a Democrat who represents the 42nd District, which includes Towson, Timonium and part of Pikesville. “These are the thoughts that are running through my head.”
Dipping his toe into the water is one thing, but jumping in is something else altogether. It’s not a stretch to say that Brochin loves being a state senator. He always wears his Maryland Senate ring on his right ring finger.
“I really like my job, I like it a lot,” Brochin said. “I think my constituents think I do a good job.”
Brochin is also a machine when it comes to campaigning; he is known for going door to door in his district most nights during campaign season. He acknowledges that such an effort would be nearly impossible countywide.
“I think that’s really hard to do countywide, but I would do it in areas that are up for grabs,” Brochin said.
And then there’s the money issue.
Brochin said his 2002 and 2006 campaigns were difficult and depleted his campaign war chest. As of the most recent report filed in January, Brochin had about $32,000 in cash on hand and about $90,000 in outstanding debt.
And if Brochin enters the race, he could face a heavily contested Democratic primary field that could include at least two County Councilmen — Joseph Bartenfelder and Kevin Kamenetz. Both reported raising nearly $250,000 last year on top of already-healthy campaign accounts.
“They’ve had two really good cycles where they haven’t had any competition, and they’ve been able to stockpile money,” Brochin said.
Some believe it could cost $1.5 million or more to run a winning campaign. County Executive Jim Smith raised and spent $1 million in 2oo2 and raised another $2 million for his 2006 campaign.
Still, Brochin believes he can raise the money needed to run an effective campaign.
The senator said he is not likely to make or announce a decision until late in his current term — possibly late 2009 or early 2010.