Sat. Nov 2nd, 2024

Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City). File photo by Bryan P. Sears.

State Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) held a retreat this week for a discrete number of Maryland business leaders and a State House lobbyist — at a ranch in Colorado.

The price for access to the Senate leader and three of his top lieutenants in the upper chamber: A minimum of $25,000, with the proceeds going to an administrative fund of the Democratic Senate Caucus’ campaign committee.

Representatives of such entities as CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Washington Gas, Comcast, Anheuser-Busch and Caesar’s Resorts were among those in attendance, sources said. Annapolis lobbyist Robert J. Garagiola, a former Senate majority leader whose clients include energy firms, horse industry companies and tech businesses, was also there.

The full roster of donors may not be known until the next state campaign finance reports are released, in mid-January. Joining Ferguson from the Senate were President Pro Tem Malcolm Augustine (D-Prince George’s), Majority Leader Nancy J. King (D-Montgomery) and Sen. Craig J. Zucker (D-Montgomery), who is chair of the Democratic caucus.

For congressional leaders, national political fundraising committees and legislative leaders in some other states, these kinds of out-of-town retreats with donors are commonplace. But this is the first time in recent memory that a presiding officer of the General Assembly has asked supporters to attend a high-dollar event outside of Maryland — with the rare exception of occasional fundraisers in Washington, D.C.

Contributions to most state campaign accounts in Maryland are capped at $6,000 per election cycle. One of the exceptions are administrative funds for the legislative caucus committees, which have no contribution limits. The money can only be used to hire staff and for other administrative purposes, but not for ads, mailers or other forms of electioneering.

Ferguson seeks to remove incinerators from state’s renewable energy subsidy program

“The Caucus’s Administrative Account makes it possible for the Maryland Senate Democrats to hire and fairly compensate top-tier staff, who provide the very best member services, to our Senators,” Ferguson said in a statement provided to Maryland Matters. “Ensuring that we are and will remain able to provide high-quality support to Democrats serving in and running for seats in our Caucus is a commitment that I am pleased to keep.”

The Democratic Senate Caucus Committee administrative fund took in about $375,000 from the retreat, and netted more than $250,000, a Ferguson fundraiser said.

Beyond the senators and a few staffers, 14 people attended the retreat, which was held at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch high in the Rocky Mountains, about 75 miles west of Denver. The ranch’s website describes the venue as “a world away from everything.”

“At Devil’s Thumb Ranch we offer experiences that embrace the pioneering spirit of the early homesteaders while honoring and preserving the pristine landscapes for future generations,” the website says. “Here, guests are invited to participate in real, authentic ranch adventures from horseback riding, fly fishing, and cross-country skiing, to fat tire mountain biking, zip lining, and more on over 6,500 acres in the Rocky Mountains.

“Of course, your mountain escape would be incomplete without refined modern comforts like our renowned spa, acclaimed restaurants, elegant lodge accommodations, and private rustic cabins. Simply unplug from everyday life and lounge by the year-round heated pool and hot tub, destress with daily yoga, or curl up by the fire, roast a marshmallow, and reconnect with the people who matter most. It is, dare we say, an authentic Colorado Ranch experience you simply can’t find anywhere else.”

Beyond the recreational activities, Ferguson’s group heard a presentation grandly titled “The Future,” with Chike Aguh, a senior adviser to the Project on Workforce at Harvard University who was the chief innovation officer at the U.S. Department of Labor earlier in the Biden administration, and Jef Pollock, president of the Global Strategy Group and a prominent Democratic pollster. They ate dinner one night at a restaurant in the nearby town of Silver Plume, Colorado, called Bread Bar — which is co-owned by Colorado state Senate President Steve Fenberg (D).

As of mid-January, the Democratic Senate Caucus’ campaign fund had $182,000 on hand, plus another $163,000 in its administrative account. The Senate Republican Caucus Committee, by contrast, reported $23,800 on hand plus $32,600 in its administrative fund.

It remains to be seen how many truly competitive Senate districts there will be in the 2026 general election. The closest Senate race by far in 2022 was in Harford County’s 34th District, where now-Sen. Mary-Dulany James (D) bested former Del. Christian Miele (R), 50.55% to 49.24%. No other Senate district produced a general election result that was within single digits.

Democrats currently hold a 34-13 advantage in the Senate.

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