The fight for Clean Elections in Maryland is in full swing with about four weeks to go in this legislative session. What follows is an interview with Sean Dobson, of Progressive Maryland. He is one the lead organizers of this campaign. Sean gives us insight to the many aspects of the campaign and tells us why Clean Elections is so important for Maryland.   1. What is Progressive Maryland?  a. Progressive Maryland is a statewide non-profit organization committed to the public interest and to defending the interest of working families in Maryland.   2. How did the Clean Elections issue become a priority for PM? a. In the efforts to expand healthcare coverage, raise wages, etc., we noticed that the playing field is tilted against us. The average blue collar worker cannot afford to give a contribution to an elected official and therefore their voices get drowned out by the deep pocket special interests that do give money. Because of this, the needs of regular people get ignored and Clean Elections is a way to ensure that the needs of regular people get heard.   3. What difference would Clean Elections make in Maryland?  a. With Clean Elections, politicians will listen to regular voters and less to money and special interests. We hope that they will tackle big reform issues that need to happen, those that would benefit vast majority of the population. Issues such as universal healthcare, affordable college, making sure that no child has to attend school in trailers, and making sure there is money to pay for those things. These reforms get blocked by special interests. Also, Clean Elections will help to ensure that nothing like what happened in California with the electricity deregulation will happen here in Maryland.   4. What is your background working on reform issues such as Clean Elections? a. I helped to found Progressive Maryland with Tom Hucker in 2001. Before that I worked for the Clinton White House on the National Economic Council.   5. What are some of the important aspects of the Clean Elections Campaign?  a. One aspect is making sure that law makers hear from their constituents. That means organizers and volunteers are out talking to the public, going door-to-door, or making calls to explain the issue. We are also working with Public Campaign and Common Cause to directly lobby Maryland lawmakers on this issue.   6. How is your experience different this year than last year with the Clean Elections bill?  a. The challenges are different in that, with non-profits who advocate, there are never enough resources to lobby both chambers and we have to go one chamber at a time. Last year we got through one chamber, the House. This year, we are concentrating more on lobbying the Senate side, which is a tougher whip to crack. More lawmakers in this chamber rely on bigger donations and are more dependent on special interest contributors, so weaning them away from that world view is a challenge.   7. What was the total dollar amount spent on campaign contributions last year?  a. Research by the PM Education Fund showed that last year shattered the 2002 record. More than $93 million was spent to candidates running on the state level which is a 69% increase. Money was contributed in big chunks, for example, an individual contribution average was $200 and the average organizational contribution made by special interest business and wealthy individuals was $539.   8. In your estimation, what do you think it costs to win a race for a House of Delegate seat?  a. The cost of running a winning campaign depends on the district and if the race is contested. It could be as cheap as $10K in an uncontested race, which would to get your name out there. If the race is contested, a House of Delegates seat would cost up to $250K and a Senate seat about $500K.  9. How much would the bill cover if we were to implement the Clean Elections law? a. The bill would cover an average ordinary race: $80K for a house seat and $100K for a Senate seat.   You can find out more about the Maryland campaign for Clean Elections and Progressive Maryland at here.