Maryland’s Board of Elections has fined Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s reelection committee for an email soliciting donations on behalf of the campaign during the annual legislative session, when fundraising for state elections is prohibited. The board, which explained its decision in a letter to the campaign on Monday, said it found “no evidence that the Governor or his authorized candidate campaign committee” approved the solicitations or had knowledge of their content or timing. “While we strongly disagree with the decision, we are pleased they acknowledge that the campaign committed no violation whatsoever,” said Hogan campaign manager Jim Barnett. But elections officials pointed out that the invitation told recipients they could become members of the host committee by making financial commitments to the campaign.

Source: Washington Post November 23, 2017 02:37 UTC