Rich and powerful choose sides in Maryland governor's race [View all]

he Koch brothers. George Soros. Dave Chappelle. Silicon Valley executives. Hollywood actresses.

Across Maryland — and across the country — the rich and famous are choosing sides in the Free State’s 2018 race for governor.

Hundreds of powerful people — from wealthy lawyers to media moguls — have already maxed out their legal donations giving to incumbent Republican Gov. Larry Hogan or one of his seven Democratic party challengers.

Here are some highlights from last week’s campaign finance filings:

• With more than $8 million in his account alone — and more than $9 million if you include Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford’s fundraising — Gov. Larry Hogan has more cash on hand than all his Democratic opponents combined. He has more than 100 donations from individuals and businesses who gave the maximum amount allowable by law — $6,000 — including many business executives from across the state. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s brother Todd gave Hogan the maximum contribution, as did Howard Research and Development, the company that helped build Columbia. Perhaps his highest profile donor is Kansas-based Koch Industries, run by Charles and David Koch, the billionaire conservative financiers.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-big-donations-governor-20180119-story.html