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Michael Hough, a Republican candidate in District 3B, and his wife, JoeyLynn, haven't taken a summer vacation in two years. They are spending less on birthday gifts, living off their savings and campaigning full-time, all in hopes of winning the Sept. 14 primary.

Hough, who cut back his work hours at the American Legislative Exchange Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes conservative state policies, is spending his days raising money from the old Coca-Cola plant on North Market Street in Frederick, the campaign headquarters he shares with former boss and mentor, Republican Sen. Alexander X. Mooney, who is running for re-election in District 3.

Hough says the lagging economy that has left residents struggling to keep their homes, find jobs and pay their bills, which has forced Hough to work harder for every dollar he gets.

"People are giving less," Hough said. "Somebody who normally would have given $500 is giving $100. So I've got to work harder on fundraising and a lot of candidates fail at that."

While appealing for money, his campaign letters make note of the poor economy.

"As we have been living off our savings the past couple of months to campaign full time, I understand better [than] most how hard these economic times are," JoeyLynn Hough wrote in a recent campaign letter. "However, every little gift helps, even $10, $20 or $30 means a lot to us, and shows Mike you support him more [than] ever."

Like all elections, the focus for this campaign is raising money. Yet, the sluggish economy that is continuing to drain the wallets of most residents is forcing candidates to step up their game. And their frenzy to spend and raise money is a testimony to how desperately some candidates want the job.

Dave Levinthal, spokesman with The Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C., a national research group that tracks money in politics and elections, said the economy is the "hottest topic" in the 2010 election.

"It's certainly one of the hottest topics on the local, county and national level, and often times something like this will reflect the situation on the ground," Levinthal said.

On the national level, Levinthal said donations to candidates are actually up this year. "We've noticed at least on the federal level that there is no economic recession," he said. "The driving reason behind that is that there are so many major issues in play and this is one way to gain access to a politician and sway their vote."

Finally, Levinthal said some candidates are just better at raising money than other candidates. "The purpose of an election is to win," he said.

Hough, who has spent slightly more than $40,000 and raised nearly $100,000 since announcing his candidacy in 2008, said he will work harder and sacrifice more to beat his Republican challenger, Del. Charles A. Jenkins, in the primary.

"When running a campaign, you should be prepared to make sacrifices," he said. "I want people to know they've invested in a candidate that is working hard. It's also harder when you're not the incumbent. In my position you have to work extra hard."

Jenkins has raised nearly $13,000, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Jenkins, who is well behind Hough in donations with a total of nearly $13,000 raised, understands that the economy is making it difficult for people to donate.

"I think this is a tough time to ask people for contributions and I know from several folks, I've talked to them and they are very aware of their personal financial situation," Jenkins said, in an e-mail.

Jenkins said fundraising is not a priority in his campaign.

Meanwhile, Frederick County Commissioner and Republican candidate Blaine R. Young has spent nearly $38,000 to make his platform known to voters. He expects to spend about $40,000 to $45,000, by the Sept. 14 primary.

"I'm not just running for county commissioner," Young said. "I'm running on a very clear message – redefining the role of county government.

"I'm trying to get my message out to the people that are going to vote in the Republican primary."

Surprisingly, the sluggish economy is helping Young garner campaign funds, he said. Young said residents in dire financial straits are giving him money because of his campaign pledge to cut taxes and transform the county into an affordable place to live.

"The average person is giving me money," he said. "They believe in what I'm saying. It makes me feel the message I believe in is correct and it is reflective of what they're donating."

Young has slightly more than $35,000 in contributions, according to his campaign finance report filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections.

But not every candidate is having the same success.

"The money hasn't been flowing in," said Ellis Burruss, a Democratic candidate for county commissioner. "On the other hand, I am a crummy fundraiser. People aren't breaking down the doors to give me money."

Burruss, who has raised roughly $3,000 and spent about $2,000, would rather run a campaign without raising and spending money.

"Probably in the best of all possible worlds it shouldn't be, but it's necessary," he said. "You've got to get your name out in the paper, TV and yard signs. It's necessary to spend money."

In presidential elections, campaign finance and raising money is big business. Without spending and raising significant amounts of money, it is virtually impossible to get elected.

Not so, on the local level.

Case in point – Frederick County Commissioner John "Lennie" Thompson Jr. (R) got elected to office in 1998, 2002 and 2006, without asking for a single donation. He did accept donations, from what he calls "ordinary folks." And he holds no fundraisers, a staple to raising large amounts of money for many candidates.

He continues the same practice in his current quest for state delegate in District 4A. "I've never asked for money and I don't take money from lobbyists and political action committees," Thompson said. "I do not ask for money. My vote is not up for sale. It's just not in my nature to ask for money. I'm not a back slapping, wheeler dealer type. People should vote for you because they like your approach and they like your ideas."

His campaign funds total $4,790, which includes a $1,000 donation of his own money.

Frederick County Commissioner candidate Roy Taylor (D) is taking the Thompson approach to running a campaign a step further. He will not solicit or accept any campaign donations. "I'm not smart enough to know the difference between a donation and a bribe," he said. "I'm not asking for money and I don't want to ask."

Taylor, who owns and operates the Dairy Queen of Riverside on Md. Route 26 in Frederick, is using his own money to run his campaign. He set aside $6,000, with $4,912 going for advertising, T-shirts and the printing of campaign materials. He expects to spend close to $20,000 of his own money before the primary.

"You can't run without spending money," he said. "I wish it were different, but you have to have that name recognition out there. I'm amazed at how much money some people are raising."

sgreenfield@gazette.net

The five Frederick County Commissioner candidates who have raised the most money as of Aug. 17, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections' campaign finance database:

Blaine Young (R): $35,309

Kai Hagen (D): $15,421

C. Paul Smith (R): $10,310

Michael Kurtianyk (D): $10,071

Kirby Delauter (R): $4,365