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When former Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez launched his Maryland gubernatorial run last week, he also launched what will surely be an expensive fight for the governors mansion.

Perez headed the Democrats main fundraising arm between 2017 and 2021, and led the party organization through a dominating 2018 midterm cycle and a winning 2020 presidential cycle. Much of that success resulted because Perez brought more money into the DNC than any other DNC chair in history.

During the 2020 election cycle, the DNC raised more than $492 million, and spent nearly all of it ($462 million) defending the narrow Democratic House majority, winning an even more narrow Senate majority and aiding President Joe Bidens ascent to the White House. In 2016, the DNC raised just $372 million when Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) led the organization.

The last time the DNC raised more than $400 million in a presidential election cycle was in 2004 when former Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) challenged former President George W. Bush.

Of course, Perez wasnt alone in his fundraising prowess during the 2020 election the most expensive election cycle in U.S. history.

The Republican National Committee, led by chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, trounced the DNC in fundraising, and brought in more than $890 million in the 2020 election. The RNC also beat Democrats in fundraising for the 2018 midterms. The Republican fundraising arm hauled in nearly $325 million in the 2018 cycle, while the DNC raised a comparatively paltry $176 million.

While Perez enters the Democratic primary for governor as one of the more notable candidates, the gubernatorial race will be a test for the former DNC chair, whos never held federal or statewide office. Perez served as the secretary of labor under former President Barack Obama and led the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice.

Current Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is term-limited from running for a third term. The popular Republican won both of his elections by comfortable margins (more than 3 points in 2014 and more than 10 points in 2018) despite the state becoming increasingly Democratic. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the state with more than 60% of the vote in 2016 and Biden won Maryland with 65% of the vote.

Hogan hasnt weighed in on either the Republican or Democratic primaries for governor and hasnt said what his future plans will be. The Maryland governor was rumored to be considering a primary run against former President Donald Trump in 2020, and hasnt ruled out a presidential run in 2024.

Perez joined at least six other Democrats in the rapidly growing Democratic primary. At least two Republican candidates, including Marylands Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz, announced theyd run in the Republican primary. The primary elections will be held on June 28, 2022.

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Original post:
Tom Perez's Maryland run could put fundraising at the forefront of the race - Center for Responsive Politics