Public financing would relieve candidates of the constant effort to raise large amounts of money, proponents say, freeing candidates to spend more time with constituents. This system can eliminate the money chase we're all involved in, Hurson said during a recent hearing. He added that large private and corporate donors might not be strongly opposed because they are tired of being solicited. Many lobbyists had come to him and privately supported the bill for those reasons, Hurson said. For Republicans, one key factor is that such a system would eliminate the influence of slates in Maryland.
Slates are joint campaign committees where candidates pool their money and redistribute it.
In a public system, a candidate could accept money from the slate, but it would count toward the 25 percent limit on private funds, just like any other contribution. The Daily Record. All Rights Reserved.