Smith continues to accumulate cash, future political path still unclear
Jim Smith continues to rake in the bucks as the final half of his last term as county executive ticks down.
Smith raised nearly $634,000 last year and has nearly $1 million in cash on hand, according to his 2009 annual campaign finance report filed last month with the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Still, there is no word on why he needs so much cash. Neither Smith, nor his people, are being specific about what lies ahead.
“The county executive wants to be prepared if an opportunity presents itself,” said Don Mohler, a spokesman for Smith. “He will absolutely continue in pubic service. At some point, it will be clear what path (Smith) should take.”
In previous interviews, Smith has said he is not interested in running for a state legislative position nor is he interested in returning to serve as a judge where he spent 16 years before running for county executive.
Smith has also said he has no interest in running for a legislative seat on the federal level. Raising money through his state campaign committee essentially rules that out since none of that money could be used for a federal race.
The odds on bet for Smith’s future continues to be a face-off with Comptroller Peter Franchot, a fellow Democrat who is completing his first term.
Smith got a little more familiar with the office earlier this year. In January, Gov. Martin O’Malley discussed plans to possibly use nearly $400 million kept in a little-known (and never used) reserve account within the comptroller’s office.
O’Malley credits Smith for having found the money under that particular state couch cushion though Mohler said his boss credits staff at the Maryland Association of Counties and county budget director Keith Dorsey with the actual find.
In recent days, another theory has surfaced: Smith will continue to raise money to allow him to financially support a candidate and essentially make the out-going county executive the kingmaker.
Smith has done this before. In 2006, he created a slate that allowed him to move nearly $450,000 into Scott Shellenberger’s campaign. The money allowed Shellenberger to buy television and radio ads down the stretch in deserves some of the credit for Shellenberger’s victory.
“The next 18-months are going to be fun,” Moher said with a laugh.
Readers: What office do you think County Executive Jim Smith is eying next?