On the Money with Gil Kuta
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
BALTIMORE (WBFF) — After a few days of facing questions, Senate President Bill Ferguson addressed the calls from a primary opponent to return energy-related campaign donations as energy costs remain a major concern for Marylanders.
FOX45 News previously reported on the calls to return nearly $60,000 in campaign donations from utility companies. In a social media post making the rounds online, small business owner Bobby LaPin, who is running against Ferguson in the Democratic primary, accused lawmakers of taking money from the company they regulate.
“I have a responsibility for my Democratic caucus to make sure that I am raising funds to ensure that every one of my colleagues has the ability to communicate with their constituents and that they can win,” Ferguson said during an interview Thursday on FOX45 News In Depth with Mikenzie Frost. “And it’s worked.”
ALSO READ | Bill Ferguson silent after challenger calls on him to return $60k in utility donations
Ferguson pointed to the election of Senators Dawn Gile and Mary-Dulany James, noting the seats had been held “by Republicans for over 20 years each.”
“I would say that that the operation that we’ve put together has been effective in allowing senators to be able to communicate with their constituents,” he added. “That really matters.”
According to previous reporting from FOX45 News, campaign finance records show several energy companies donating directly to Ferguson. Over the past three years, a political action committee associated with Constellation Energy contributed $4,000 to Ferguson’s campaign. Other contributions include $6,000 from the Baltimore Gas and Electric PAC, $12,000 from Washington Gas Light Company’s PAC, and $3,450 from Pepco Holdings’ PAC.
In that time period he’s also received a number of individual donations from top energy executives, including $6,000 from Constellation Energy President and CEO Joseph Dominguez, $3,000 from Vicinity Energy’s Government Affairs Manager Samay Kindra, and $1,500 from Exelon’s Executive Vice President of Transmission and Development Carim Khouzami.
“Fundraising is also the thing that I don’t think anybody enjoys doing, but it’s necessary,” Ferguson said. “And at the end of the day, if somebody believes that a contribution will change their vote and how they will perceive a vote, they shouldn’t run for office because a couple thousand dollars in a…campaign contribution doesn’t come close to the impact of the millions and millions of dollars…that are being decided every day.”
It’s important to follow one’s ethics and values. My voting record shows I care about my constituents, and I vote in their interest, even in the most difficult of times, Ferguson continued.
Other politicians have rejected political cash from utility companies, including BGE. In a previous FOX45 News In Depth with Mikenzie Frost interview, Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway said he returned all utility-related donations and called on others to follow suit.
“What I didn’t want to happen is to have my insight, my judgment, clouded by any fiscal support or funding or donations from an energy company, knowing that my constituents can’t afford their energy bills,” Conway previously said.
Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.
Local Story
