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The Baltimore Rowing Club, located in Cherry Hill near Westport, was the scene of a fundraiser held Wednesday evening by mayoral candidate Joseph T. 'Jody' Landers 3rd.

BALTIMORE ROWING CLUB
IN  MIDDLE BRANCH PARK
IS SCENE OF WEDNESDAY EVENING SHINDIG

Rolley  raises  ‘more than any unelected individual’ in city’s history, announces ‘return’
of  comedian Bill  Cosby

Hot on the heels of Otis Rolley’s announcement last week that he has raised “an unprecedented amount for a mayoral challenger who has never held public office,” another of Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s challengers held a major fundraiser Wednesday evening in Cherry Hill not far from Westport, an area of Baltimore City not known for its financial contributions to political campaigns.

The fundraiser was held at the upscale Baltimore Rowing Club, a city-owned building in Middle Branch Park, and was attended by supporters of Joseph T. “Jody” Landers 3rd, one of five Democrats who hope to unseat the mayor in the party primary less than three weeks from today.

It was unclear at press time how much Landers had raised. But prior to Wednesday’s fundraiser he reported $140,000, with more than $101,000 cash on hand.

Rolley says he has raised “over $400,000,” according to a press release issued by his campaign Aug. 16. The following day he attended a fundraiser hosted by supporters Anthony Waddell and Raphiel Hampton at Creme Restaurant and Lounge on North Charles Street, billed as “The Tipping Point.”

Last week Rolley also announced that comedian Bill Cosby, who was featured at his first fundraiser last winter, will join him for “a day of events” on Sept. 7, the day before early voting for the primary ends.

“In many ways, Dr. Cosby helped jumpstart my campaign in January,” Rolley declared, “and his return will help me finish strongly what we started that day.”

His campaign claims to have raised “more money than any unelected individual in the City’s history.”

According to the Baltimore Sun, the mayor has raised $1.4 million, more than all six of her challengers combined, with State Sen. Catherine Pugh (D-40th) having raised a total of $600,000.

Landers is a former executive vice president of the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors. Rolley was the city’s planning director under Mayor Martin O’Malley and chief of staff for Mayor Sheila Dixon.

Dixon, who is forbidden from running this election year under terms of her plea agreement for misappropriation of gift cards intended for the needy, contributed $1,000 from her campaign fund to both candidates. However, Rolley’s campaign manager says the money was returned.

— Alan Z. Forman

alforman@voiceofbaltimore.org