Tuesday Sept 12th is Primary Day in Maryland. And this one promises to be a wild day with many Democratic races featuring 2 or more candidates. I have already featured a number of the hot Democratic races in my series of diaries on the primary. But here's one that has hot races on both sides of the aisle.
State Delegate, District 30
In this district which falls in Anne Arundel County, an area that has been trending more and more red, House Speaker Michael Busch (D) is seeking re-election. Another delagate in this district, Del. Herb McMillan (R), is vacating his seat to run for Senate against incumbent John Astle (D). This has prompted a number of candidates in both parties to seek the open seat as Republicans gun for Busch, whom conservatives would just love to unseat given his opposition to slots and to many of Ehrlich's first term initiatives. Democrat Virginia P. Clagett is also seeking re-election.
The
Baltimore Sun has featured this race this week and gave this description of the race:
Five Democrats and six Republicans are vying in their parties' respective primaries to represent District 30, which includes Annapolis, the Broadneck Peninsula and part of South County. The top three vote-getters in each primary will advance to the November ballot, where the name of David Whitley of the Constitution Party will also appear. Each voter can pick three candidates.
The article first focuses on the Republican candidates and indicates that none have had a lot of traction thus far in terms of fundraising or gaining an edge on his/her opponents. Republican Mike Collins, a Naval academy grad who ran 4 years ago, but who had to drop out due to being called to active duty, indicated that he feels Claggett has done a good job but he doesn't approve of Mike Busch. Ironically, Claggett often votes with Busch. Collins, now retired from the military currently works as a homeland security analyst for the Maryland transportation department. His camapign is stressing public safety and first responders.
Another candidate campaigning against Busch is 30 year-old Andy Smarick, who is the youngest candidate in the race and a former staffer to Wayne Gilchrest (MD-01). Before working for Gilchrest, he worked in the state house in Annapolis. He currently is the chief of staff to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Undoubtedly this young man has a number of good connections. He even has a quote from Bob Ehrlich on his campaign website to demonstrate the Governor's approval of his campaign.
32-year old Ron Elfenbein, a physician and political newcomer, previously worked with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Currently, the assistant director of the emergency room at Harbor Hospital, Elfenbein's focus at the Heritage Foundation was on tort reform and overhauling the insurance industry. He hopes to continue that focus in the General Assembly. Elfenbein also has cited Chesapeake Bay restoration and cracking down on illegal immigration as key issues. Elfenbaum currently has the most cash on hand of any Republican in the race.
The one Republican we Democrats particularly don't want to see elected is Les Belcher, a contractor, who was quoted by the Sun:
He is anti-abortion, against civil unions, and believes creationism should be taught instead of evolution. "Why would the lie of evolution be taught?" Belcher, 45, asked. "It is a theory that science has not supported at all. It should not be taught in school."
Fortunately, taking a look at his website, I don't see this one as a very serious candidate. I do take a good chuckle seeing this quote on the website:
Les originally filed for the District 30 Senate seat. Subsequent to his filling Delegate Herb McMillan, along with prompting from the Governors office and encouragement from Les, decided to run for the Senate seat.
Ron George, 53, an Annapolis jewelry store owner and freeper, has stated he wants Intelligent Design taught in the schools along with the Big Bang Theory. He currently has the second most money on hand. He believes voters should send him to Annapolis to cut waste in government spending. Clearly this one is not running away from Bush or Ehrlich, given the pictures on his websites and the fact that Bob Ehrlich was featured at one of his fundraisers.
Nancy Almgren, 58, the only woman actively campaigning on the Republican side, also ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2002. The retired Vice President of Morgan Stanley is stressing "Responsive Constituent Service, Passionate Issue Advocacy, and Performance Based Results" in her camapaign. She hopes to bring her business sense and financial experience to Annapolis.
On the Democratic side, three candidates besides Busch and Clagget are vying for spots on the November ballot: Barbara Samorajczyk, a County Council member from the Annapolis area who is stepping down because of term limits, Konrad M. Wayson, a school board member who recently concluded a term as president, and Shirley May Little, an English teacher with the county school system.
Samorajczyk, 60, a Georgetown-educated lawyer, has served on the County Council since 1998. She said she was particularly proud of legislation she pushed to protect bogs and non-tidal wetlands. "They are the gold standard to filtering pollution from the bay," she said.
She also supported funding for the Annapolis Neck fire station, which recently opened.
"I have a definite record the people can examine," said Samorajczyk, who has clashed with County Executive Janet S. Owens and other council members over growth and development issues. "I've been tested. People know what I'm made of."
Barbara Samorajczyk has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, by Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters, along with the Baltimore Sun and others.
Meanwhile, Wayson is an Owens ally who feels unsatisfied with the status quo. He feels "Sandy Point State Park should be clear for swimming, the horse racing industry needs to be saved, and education needs more emphasis." Wayson has no campaign website.
The third candidate, English teacher Shirley May Little started to run in 2002, but had to drop out due to her sister having major surgery and this time around she has less than $100 on hand. She is the longshot in this race. She is running as an advocate for the schools and the Chesapeake Bay.
The battle will be between Samorajczyk and Wayson for the third slot on the Democratic ticket, with Samorajczyk looking like she could have this one locked up. I will give props to Little for at least having a website. :)