Though the 2014 contest to choose Howard's next county executive is two years away, some local politicians are raising money that indicates they are interested in running for the county's top job.
Annual campaign finance reports detailing candidates' earnings and expenditures for 2011 were due Jan. 18.
Del. Guy Guzzone, a Columbia Democrat who has said he is considering a county executive run, has the most money, with about $192,000 cash on hand. Guzzone, whose report is not yet publicly available, said he raised about $104,000 in the past year.
"I'm looking at the executive race, but I haven't made a decision and I won't for some time," Guzzone said.
County Council member Courtney Watson, an Ellicott City Democrat who also has said she is looking at running for county executive (but would not say so in an interview this week), has nearly $172,000 cash on hand, largely boosted by the nearly $166,000 she raised over the past 12 months.
"First and foremost, we're trying to replenish the campaign account from the last election," Watson said. "I represent the only swing district in the county, so my races always require more funds than other races do."
Regarding her plans for 2014, Watson said it was too early to decide, but added, "I will likely stay on the local level."
Watson said the nearly $166,000 she has raised — more than any other politician in Howard County besides County Executive Ken Ulman — is a good indicator of support. Other politicians, she explained, may have more cash on hand because of money leftover from previous races, which were less competitive than hers.
State Sen. Allan Kittleman, a West Friendship Republican, is on the short list of potential GOP county executive contenders. He raised nearly $79,000, but expenditures brought his cash total down to just under $63,000.
"The first year after an election year is not a big year to raise money," Kittleman said, noting he and other state legislators are at a disadvantage because they are barred from raising funds during the 90-day General Assembly session.
Kittleman said he has support in running for re-election or for county executive, but "it's way too soon to make any decision."
Council member Mary Kay Sigaty, a Columbia Democrat, said she is considering her options for 2014 and county executive is "certainly one of the ones I've thought about." Sigaty's report is not yet publicly available, but she said she has roughly $20,000 cash on hand, most of which she raised in the past 12 months.
Council member Calvin Ball, a Columbia Democrat who some political observers say could run for county executive, said he is considering a re-election bid as well as other options. He has raised nearly $92,000, bringing his cash total close to $117,000.
Asked if county executive is something he is looking at for 2014, Ball said: "My focus right now is on doing the best job I can for the citizens of Howard County."
Some political observers also believe council member Greg Fox, a Fulton Republican, could run for county executive if Kittleman does not. Asked if he would run for the position, Fox said that's "highly unlikely, but nothing's impossible."
An indication Fox is not planning to run for higher office is that he has only raised $782 this past year, and has $337 cash on hand.