Decision 2018: State and County Races

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • klutch

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2018
    179
    With the General Election less than a month away, we now have our work cut out for us! There were a few surprises in the Primary, which I'll address below. Some fair-weather friends will not be returning and some bad candidates have advanced to the General Election! In the House of Delegates, longtime chair of Judiciary Joe Vallario was defeated. By absolutely NO MEANS was he our greatest friend yet he was not our worst enemy (he had a habit of 'drawering' some bad bills)! House Speaker Mike Busch is planning to put more hostile people into positions of power; and Judiciary is NO exception! Luke Clippinger from Baltimore City is scheduled to take the Chairmanship if all goes according to plan! With Mac Middleton also being defeated, I'm wondering who'll replace him as chair of the Senate Finance committee? The legislative maps were not dealt with in the Supreme Court as I'd hoped they'd be, so we'll STILL have more races that are critical than before for which we MUST be involved!

    The makeup of the Democrats has changed in recent times and there are more 'liberals' who have thrown their hat into the ring to run for office this time around. It used to be that this was confined to the suburban and urban areas and perhaps some outlying areas as well. Now, you're seeing more of such candidates run in more outlying areas as well as the rural areas! It makes me wonder if the Democrats are comfortable with running 'sacrificial lambs', or do they have a plan to try to encroach into outlying and rural areas? I hope it is the former, but I fear it could be the latter! Let's NEVER forget what happened in Virginia last year! Yes, I expected the statewide races down there to go Democrat. What I did NOT expect was for our adversaries to came within a whisker of taking a majority in the House of Delegates down there! We can NOT afford to let that happen here!!! While there are a FEW reasonable Democrats left in the General Assembly and running for office, the rest are hostile and need to be defeated!

    I realize that many people feel disenfranchised after Hogan let us down this last session! Let me say that ANYONE who thought Hogan was going to be God's gift to gun owners and the conservative movement was in for a rude awakening! A common response might be to stay home on Election Day. That would be downright foolish! Your vote is your voice; USE IT!!! In light of the recent massacres in Florida, Texas and elsewhere, our opponents are geared up to take us on, and we MUST show them that we are NOT willing to back down! We have NO allies to spare, so we need to put out effort where it's essential! Again, remember Virginia last year! Moreover, we MUST NOT waste our votes come November either! One thing I heard a guy say on a talk show back in 2006 is that despite being a 'conservative', he voted a straight Democratic ticket! That, too is just as foolish as not voting and is inexcusable! You are better off casting a vote for a minor-party candidate or independent! Casting a protest vote or a vote for the underdog is better than aiding and abetting the enemy!

    Right, wrong or indifferent, here's my district by district analysis as to whom to support and the urgency of the race or races in question. Inquiries, praises, criticisms and other comments are welcome. Nevertheless, here goes:

    DISTRICT 1 (Garrett and Allegany Counties): Our ally George Edwards returns unchallenged to the Senate. In Sub-district 1A, incumbent Wendell Beitzel is the stronger candidate. In 1B, incumbent Jason Buckel is stronger. In 1C, incumbent Mike McKay will have a challenger from the Green Party, Daniel DelMonte. I surmise these to be easy wins here.

    DISTRICT 2 (Washington County): For the Senate race and in sub-district 2A, our allies Andrew Serafini; Bill Wivell and Neil Parrott have challengers not from Democrats but from Green Party candidates Jenna Roland; Andrew Barnhardt and Charlotte McBrearty respectively. I surmise easy-wins here. By contrast, in 2B, Paul Corderman will have a vile anti-gunner to face in November. I surmise involvement will be essential as this seat JUST went GOP four years ago! HELP OUT HERE IF YOU CAN!

    DISTRICT 3 (central and southern Frederick County): CRITICAL!!! THIS is one of the critical legislative races and deserves our attention! Ron Young has proven to be a mortal enemy to freedom and HE MUST GO! Here's hoping that challenger Craig Giangrande is up to the task of taking him out! In sub-district 3A, Carol Krimm and Karen Lewis Young have also proven to be hostile to liberty! As such, be there for James Dvorak and either Mike Bowersox OR Libertarian Jeremy Harbaugh! If you find yourselves in any 'progressive' circles and know of anyone who can't bring themselves to vote for the two GOP candidates for Delegate, direct them to Harbaugh in an effort to dilute any progressive encroachments possible! Similarly in 3B, incumbent ally Bill Folden will likely be in the fight of his political career in his race against enemy Ken Kerr! My suggestion is that if you live in a non-competitive district (such as far western Maryland, Carroll County or Montgomery County) and want to pitch-in someplace, THIS DISTRICT SHOULD BE A PRIME CONSIDERATION!!!

    DISTRICT 4 (northern, western, southwestern, southeastern and eastern Frederick county): Incumbent Senator Michael Hough and Delegate candidates Dan Cox, Jesse Pippy and incumbent Barrie Ciliberti will face hostile Democratic challengers. I want to believe these will be easy wins for us but we should be on our guard!

    DISTRICT 5 (central and northern Carroll County): Incumbent Senator Justin Ready will face Jamie O'Marr, whose likelihood of defeating Ready is slim. Republican: incumbents Haven Shoemaker, April Rose and Susan Krebs will face one hostile candidate. These should be easy wins for us but it might not hurt to 'keep an eye on things' here!

    DISTRICT 6 (Southeastern Baltimore County): No villains in the Senate race, so vote your conscience! For the House races, Except for Megan Ann Miodeszewski, whose views are unknown; the six other candidates running there are pretty solid! Nevertheless, I STRONGLY urge that Robin Grammar be among your choices here!!! He is one of liberty's strongest supporters in the General Assembly!

    DISTRICT 7 (eastern Baltimore County, northwestern Harford County): This district has been a Republican stronghold since its creation a decade ago and seems likely to remain so. All incumbents were re-elected (Sen. J.B. Jennings; Dels. Impallaria and Szeliga) and Lauren Arikan will join them on the GOP ticket! JB's challenger is hostile as are the two Democratic Delegate candidates; don't know about the Green candidate. I predict easy wins for us here.

    DISTRICT 8 (Overlea, Perry Hall areas: Baltimore County): For the Senate race, incumbent Kathy Klausmeier had been quite a consistent ally until last session when she voted for the Red Flag bill. Her challenger Christian Miele did the same the first time but corrected himself when the bill came back. All in all, I'm going to suggest support for Miele over Klausmeier! The House race MIGHT be of concern. Joe Cluster and Joe Boteler should be your first two choices! For your third choice, I strongly suggest voting for Eric Bromwell! He was the ONLY Democrat to vote against the Red-flag bill both times! I'm uneasy about Joe Norman; who has responded inconsistently in several different surveys on our issues; even less comfortable with Harry Bhandari and Carl Jackson!

    DISTRICT 9 (northern Howard, far southern Carroll Counties): All the incumbents: Senator Gail Bates and Delegates Warren Miller, Trent Kittleman (in 9A) and Bob Flanagan (in 9B) were re-elected will have hostile challengers to face come November! These races deserve our attention! While I'm on the topic, I realize Bob Flanagan hasn't been as strong an ally as he should've been. Nevertheless, I'll take a fair-weather-friend over no friend at all ANY DAY!

    DISTRICT 10 (western Baltimore County): For the first time in a LONG time, we have some quality candidates willing to challenge the Democratic establishment in this district! For the Senate, vote for Stephanie Boston! She is a solid ally! For the House, George Harman and Matthew Kaliszak are worthy of your votes. Unfortunately, these are long shots!

    DISTRICT 11 (Pikesville, Owings Mills areas, Balt. Co.): The ONLY play we have here is to bullet-vote (that is to vote ONLY) for Jonathan Porter, but don't expect much! Go help Chris West et al in District 42!

    DISTRICT 12 (southwestern Baltimore County, Elkridge, portions of Columbia): Delegate Clarence Lam was successful in his primary bid to go on to the general and will challenge perennial candidate Joe Hooe for that Senate seat! Hooe seems to be lukewarm to us, but I'll suggest a vote for him over Lam. For the House races, Eric Ebersole and Terri Hill have won their primary bids and Jessica Feldmark will join them. All are hostile to freedom! As such, we MUST be there for Bob Cockey, Melanie Harris and Michael Russell! All in all, these all seem like long shots, but I think if we 'pour it on', we MIGHT have a shot with at least one of these seats.

    DISTRICT 13 (southern Howard County): The only play we have here is to bullet-vote for Chris Yates for the Delegate race. Don't expect much. If you want to help out somewhere where it will make a difference consider District 9, MAYBE District 12 or better yet, District 32!

    DISTRICT 14 (northern Montgomery County): All the incumbents (and foes): Sen. Craig Zucker; Dels.Anne Kaiser, Pam Queen and Eric Luedtke will advance to the General facing Robert Drozd; Kevin Dorrance, Patricia Fenati and Michael Ostroff respectively all of whom are worthy of your votes. Unfortunately, these are all long shots.

    DISTRICT 15 (western Montgomery County): The great news is we have some great candidates who are willing to take on the Democratic establishment here! The bad news is I feel these are all long shots! Incumbent Senator (and foe) Brian Feldman will face David Wilson, a solid ally. Lily Qi will join House incumbents (Kathy DuMais and David Fraser-Hildalgo) on the Democratic ticket; all are hostile! Laurie Halverson, Harvey Jacobs and Marc King (all strong allies) are the GOP challengers. As much as I'd like to see a miracle happen here, It will be quite difficult!

    DISTRICT 16 (Bethesda, Glen Echo areas, Montgomery County), DISTRICT 17 (central Montgomery County), DISTRICT 18 (east-central Montgomery County) and DISTRICT 20 (southeastern Montgomery County): We have little to no play in these districts! Vote against Democrats and if you have the means and the time to spare, go help where it will make a difference. District 3 in Frederick County would be ideal. Also, Districts 9 and 12 in Howard County are worth a consideration.

    DISTRICT 19 (central Montgomery County): We have no play for the Senate race. The House races Vaughn Stewart, Bonnie Cullison and Charlotte Crutchfield have won their primary bids for the Democratic ticket. They will face Martha Schaerr, Helen Domenici and Dave Pasti on the GOP ticket, who're either good or the lesser of evils here! Unfortunately, with this district having the makeup that it does, we shouldn't expect much.

    DISTRICT 21 (northern Prince George's and parts of western Anne Arundel counties) Lee Havis will face Senator Jim Rosapepe in the General. He is probably the strongest ally we have here! Mary Lehman will join incumbents Joseline Pena-Melnyk and Ben Barns to advance to the general. They will face two GOP candidates (Richard Douglas and Chike Anyanwu) along with one independent (Ray Ranker); Douglas is OK, Anyanwu and Ranker, much less so. All these are long shots!

    DISTRICT 22 (central PG county): All four incumbent legislators advance to the General. Senator Paul Pinsky will face Libertarian candidate Lauren Drew who is worthy of your vote! There's just a sole GOP challenger for the House: Winnie Oblike. Bullet vote for her, but these are both long shots!

    DISTRICT 23 (eastern PG County): The only play we have here is in 23A, where Geraldine Valentino-Smith faces Karthleen Kositsky-Crank. Give her your vote even though it's a long shot!

    DISTRICT 24 and 25 (central PG County): Done deals and likely lost causes! If you have time to invert where it will make a difference, please consider going to help out in one of the key battles in either Anne Arundel County or Charles County mentioned below!

    DISTRICT 26 (southwestern PG county): Ike Puzon will challenge Obie Patterson . This is a long shot, so don't expect much! The House is a done deal and likely lost cause!

    DISTRICT 27 (southern PG County, northern Calvert County, northern Charles County): Senate President Mike Miller advances to the General and will face ally Jesse Allen Peed. Here's hoping that Peed has a shot of taking out Miller, but it is definitely a long shot! 27A is a done deal. In 27B, incumbent Michael Jackson will advance to the General and will face Michael Thomas. As much as I'd like to see something happen here, we'll have our work cut out for us! In 27C, incumbent Mark Fisher will have a hostile opponent and we need to be there for him! Let's keep an eye on things here!

    DISTRICT 28 (Charles County): This is a district which the political landscape has drastically changed in recent times and not necessarily for the better! In a move that (I'll confess) I did NOT see coming, incumbent Senator Mac Middleton was defeated by challenger Arthur Ellis! He will face Bill Dotson in the General. For the House race, Debra Davis will join incumbents Edith Patterson and C.T. Wilson to advance to the General. Wilson is lukewarm on freedom matters. Patterson is hostile! I'm unsure about Davis. Dave Campbell, Jim Crawford and Maureen Woodruff are the GOP challengers and seem friendly. If at all possible, we need to do what we can to keep at least one of the Democrats from being victorious for the House races, and to try to do what we can for Dotson as well! We'll have our work cut out for us here!

    DISTRICT 29 (Saint Mary's, far-eastern Charles and southern Calvert Counties): Jack Bailey defeated Steve Waugh in the primary for the Senate race. While I realize many are disenfranchised by this loss, we cannot afford to allow Bailey to be defeated as he'll have a hostile challenger and we need to be there for him! In 29A, ally Matt Morgan will face a central committee designee, Roberta Miles Loker, whom I'm unsure about as well as independent Orlando Proctor. I say stick with a proven ally! In 29B, incumbent and ally Deb Rey will face Brian Crosby, who is hostile! In 29C, Incumbent ally Jerry Clark will face hostile opponent Julia Nichols Be there for ALL OUR ALLIES HERE!!

    DISTRICT 30 (eastern and southern Anne Arundel Counties): The Senate race here presents us with a special dilemma: you have two reasonable candidates challenging one anti-freedom candidate. Former Delegate Ron George and Libertarian Chris Wallace will face Sarah Elfreth in the general. Elfreth is being endorsed by outgoing Senator John Astle, who was a fair-weather friend at best. George is more 'conservative' on social matters than Wallace. Nevertheless, we must do ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING we can to see to it that enough votes are taken from Elfreth to insure her defeat! If you know anyone who can't bring themselves to vote for George, do all you can to convince them to vote for Wallace! If you're in minority communities, this MIGHT be a GREAT strategy! Like the Senate race, 30A is also critical! Our ally Herb McMillan is leaving. This is a seat we MUST hold!!! Alice Cain, who is hostile, will join House Speaker Michael Busch in advancing to the General. As much as I'd like to see Busch go, it will be tough unseating him. Now, Here's hoping that Bob O'Shea and Chelsea Gill are up to the task of thwarting 'progressive' encroachments! My fear is that these are long shots and that we have our work cut out for us.....BIG TIME!!!! In 30B, incumbent Seth Howard will have a hostile challenger come November. All in all, I see this race as more doable, but be there for Howard!

    DISTRICT 31 (northeastern AA County): Incumbent Senator Bryan Simonaire will face Scott Harman. In 31A, no villains; In 31B, incumbent Nic Kipke and Brian Chisholm will have hostile challengers to face! While I feel the threat is minimal, we should be there for them!

    DISTRICT 32 (northwestern AA County): Pam Beidle is leaving the House for the Senate and will face John Grasso. While Beidle hasn't been hostile to us, she hasn't been all that great either! I surmise Grasso MIGHT be more trustworthy. For the House races, incumbent Mark Chang, Sandy Bartlett and Mike Rogers will advance to the General. Chang and Bartlett are hostile; Rogers seems mediocre at best! Facing them them will be Republicans Mark Bailey, Patty Ewing and Tim Walters; my preferences being in that order. All of them seem pretty solid, so give them your votes! I surmise if we 'pour it on' here, we have a good chance of thwarting victory from possibly two adversaries; MAYBE even three! If you live in a non-competitive district in, say, PG or Howard counties or the south side of Baltimore city, and want to help out where it will make a difference, this would be a GREAT district to consider!

    DISTRICT 33 (central AA County): This district has been a conservative stronghold for about twenty years now, and we must try to keep it that way! For the first time in a long time, the Democrats have mounted a full slate in this district! Senator Ed Reilly and Delegates Sid Saab, Mike Malone and Tony McConkey will have challengers all hostile to freedom and must be defeated! We might want to keep an eye on things here JUST in case! If you find yourself in 'progressive' circles in this district that cannot bring themselves to vote for a Republican, don your Liv Romano (Green Party) garb in an effort to dilute as many socialist encroachments as possible!!

    DISTRICT 34 (southern and central Harford County) Mary-Dulany James has won the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat there. Her Republican challenger is incumbent Bob Cassilly; who is clearly MUCH better for us! 34A, Democrats - Mary Ann Lisanti (a fair-weather-friend) and Steve Douglas (unknown) have won their respective bids to advance to the General. I see this race as CRITICAL and we MUST be there for Glen Glass and JD Russell! In 34B, Incumbent Susan McComas will face Jeff Dinger. While McComas has served in the district for several terms now, it wouldn't hurt to be on our guard and be there for her!

    DISTRICT 35 (northern Harford and Cecil Counties): No villains in the Senate race. In 35A, Kevin Hornberger will have a hostile challenger. In 35B, Hostile Democrat Ronnie Teitler Davis will face GOP candidates Andrew Cassilly and Teresa Reilly. We SHOULD have easy wins here!

    DISTRICT 36 (southern Cecil, Caroline, Queen Anne's and Kent Counties): Incumbent Senator Stephen Hershey will face Heather Sinclair in the general. For the House races, The Republicans who advanced include incumbents Jay Jacobs (from Kent County), Steve Arentz (from Queen Anne's) and Jeff Ghrist (from Caroline). Keirein Taylor (Caroline County), Michael Welker (Cecil Co.) and Crystal Woodward (Queen Anne's Co.) are the Democratic challengers. Thwart victory from Woodward and Taylor!

    DISTRICT 37 (Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico Cos.): Senator Addie Eckardt will face Holly Wright, who is hostile. 37A, incumbent Sheree Sample-Hughes will face Frank Cooke, I surmise defeating Sample-Hughes will be a long shot, but let's do our best. In 37B, Incumbent Republicans Chris Adams and Johnny Mautz will face lone challenger Dan O'Hare. Outside of 37A, I predict easy wins for us.

    DISTRICT 38 (Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset Counties): No villains for the Senate race, nor in either 38B or 38C! In 38A, incumbent ally Charles James Otto will face Kirkland Hall, who is a foe. I surmise an easy win here, but let's be on our guard nonetheless!

    DISTRICT 39 (north-central Montgomery County): Our ally Al Phillips will challenge Nancy King for the Senate race. For the House, Verelyn Gibbs-Watson will challenge the Democratic machine! Bullet vote for her! Don't expect much!

    DISTRICT 40, 41 and 43 (Baltimore City) and DISTRICT 44 (western Baltimore City, western urban Baltimore County): There are a few non-Democratic candidates that have thrown their hats in the ring, but these are virtually all extreme long sots! If you live in any of these districts (or just about anywhere in Baltimore City), and you want to help out where it will make a difference, I'll STRONGLY suggest District 42 as your first choice, Districts 12, 32 and 9 might also be options!

    DISTRICT 42 (central-northern Baltimore County): CRITICAL: We MUST be there to help Chris West in his plight to move up to the Senate! His opponent is hostile to us!! In 42A, As much as I'd like to see Stephen McIntyre defeat Stephen Lafferty, it will be a long shot! In 42B, Nino Mangione and Tim Robinson will need our help against vicious enemies! If you love in a noncompetitive district in an adjacent area and want to pitch in where it will make a difference, COME HELP HERE!!!!

    DISTRICT 45 (Northeastern Baltimore City): The senate race is a done deal and lost cause. For the House race, Republicans Jewel Rucker, Andy Zipay and Ron Owens-Bey will challenge three Democrats and two Greens. Give those three your support, but don't expect a miracle!!!

    DISTRICT 46 (southern Baltimore City): Christine Dignan will challenge incumbent Bill Ferguson for the Senate race. For the House race, Brooke Lierman will join Luke Clippinger and Robbyn Lewis in advancing to the General on the Democratic ticket. Challenging them will be Jeremy Baron and Nicholas Wentorth. Don't expect a miracle!

    DISTRICT 47 (central Prince George's County):Republican Fred Price will challenge Malcolm Augustine for the Senate race; all else is a done deal. Don't expect much.

    STATEWIDE RACES:

    GOVERNOR'S RACE: Democrat Ben Jealous is an arrogant and raving socialist and is hostile to freedom hell bent on bringing this state to its knees! Incumbent Larry Hogan seems better, but he hasn't done all he could to further the cause of liberty. True, he allowed more reasonable voices on the Handgun Roster Board, but he also signed into law some dangerous legislation; not the least of which was the Red Flag bill! There are two other candidates: Libertarian Shawn Quinn, who is strongly pro-freedom and promises to put government in the hands of the people and Ian Schlakman who's running on the Green Party ticket. Schlakman's views are unknown. By contrast, Shawn Quinn has promised to support the-RKBA and will do what he can to advance the cause of freedom including attempting to rescind the encroachments in recent years limiting our freedoms under both Hogan and O'Malley! Quinn does support rescinding the 'red flag' bill, the 'bump stock' ban and the semi-automatic firearms ban; and supports the right to carry! The good thing I can say about Jealous is that many in his own party are bailing on him. I can only hope that such momentum will continue! Nevertheless, we cannot underestimate Jealous! If you find yourself in 'progressive' circles, don your "Schlakman for Governor" or better yet (IMNSHO), your "Quinn for Governor" material in an effort to attempt to thwart any and all chances of a Jealous victory and to see to it that he suffers a humiliating defeat if at all possible! The bottom line is, what's your aim? Do you want to vote for Hogan out of fear that if you don't Jealous will win; or do you want to vote for someone with principles, like Quinn?

    COMPTROLLER: It will be a long shot as Peter Franchot is so popular, but vote for Anjali Reed Phukan!

    ATTORNEY GENERAL: Brian Frosh has proven to be hostile to us and needs to go. GOP candidate Craig Wolf by contrast is great! This is a long shot, but let's try to pull this one off if we can!

    NOTABLE MENTIONS:

    HOWARD COUNTY: Be sure Allan Kittleman is victorious over his opponent for the County Executive race there and in Councilmanic District 4, be sure Lisa Kim is victorious over her socialist opponent!

    BALTIMORE COUNTY: Do all you can to be sure Al Redmer is victorious over his opponent "Johnny-O" Olszewski for the county executive race! Also, support Carl Magee for Sheriff!

    ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY: Support Steve Schuh over his opponent for County Executive! Be sure Wes Adams is victorious for his State's Attorney race!

    MONTGOMERY COUNTY: Vote for Robin Ficker for the County Executive! Try to convince all those not on bard with Ficker to support Nancy Floreen over Marc Elrich!

    HARFORD COUNTY: Vote for Tom Ashwell for Circuit Court Judge.
     
    Last edited:

    CrazySanMan

    2013'er
    Mar 4, 2013
    11,390
    Colorful Colorado
    DISTRICT 8 (Overlea, Perry Hall areas: Baltimore County): For the Senate race, incumbent Kathy Klausmeier had been quite a consistent ally until last session when she voted for the Red Flag bill. Her challenger Christian Miele did the same the first time but corrected himself when the bill came back. All in all, I'm going to suggest support for Miele over Klausmeier! The House race MIGHT be of concern. Joe Cluster and Joe Boteler should be your first two choices! For your third choice, I strongly suggest voting for Eric Bromwell! He was the ONLY Democrat to vote against the Red-flag bill both times! I'm uneasy about Joe Norman; who has responded inconsistently in several different surveys on our issues; even less comfortable with Harry Bhandari and Carl Jackson! .

    Bromwell is a great guy. He's a DINO, further right than most of the "Republicans" in the MGA.
     

    klutch

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2018
    179
    Bromwell is a great guy. He's a DINO, further right than most of the "Republicans" in the MGA.

    One of only a few left. With GOP candidate Joe Morgan not being consistent, I had to endorse Bromwell over Morgan!

    If anyone likes what I had to say above, you have my permission to post this elsewhere if you feel so inclined.
     

    Mr H

    Banana'd
    I appreciate the work you put into this, and the pieces I've seen that I'm familiar with are pretty accurate.

    My personal opinions/observations here, from working alongside (and past dealings with) several of them...

    See colored text...

    DISTRICT 32 (northwestern AA County): Pam Beidle is leaving the House for the Senate and will face John Grasso. While Beidle hasn't been hostile to us, she hasn't been all that great either! Beidle is completely averse to anything 2A-related, and will fight us tooth-and-nail behind the scenes, claim "That's not my committee", then vote as she's told on the floor. I surmise Grasso is more trustworthy. Not many people I know (no names) like Grasso personally. In his favor, he isn't afraid to speak his mind, and will go for something he sees as action-worthy. Otherwise, the fairest thing I can say is "He's a politician, but still a better choice than Beidle."

    For the House races, incumbent Mark Chang (a complete squish, and will do what the leadership tells him. Folks tell me "He used to be a Republican!" In name only, and Ed DeGrange was pulling his strings), Sandy Bartlett (being treated by the D ticket as if she's been an incumbent all along, and is expected to be considered a trusted team member by voters) and Mike Rogers (a relative newcomer whom I like personally, but holds positions very few here would agree with) will advance to the General. Chang and Bartlett are hostile; Rogers seems mediocre at best! Fair enough!

    Facing them will be Republicans Mark Bailey (local businessman, ex-Army, smart, personable, and generally solid person... was pleased to spend the day Saturday getting to know him better and help him get around for door-knocking), Patty Ewing (not a lot known about her, but it seems to me that she is more interested in the job, than the work it will take... still better than the 3 Ds) and Tim Walters (MDS' own eodtim, and the real leader on the R team... full disclosure, I've worked with Tim on 2 campaigns now, and consider him not only a good friend, but our best chance to make real change in Annapolis); my preferences being in that order. All of them seem pretty solid. It may be a long shot, but give the latter three your votes! I surmise if we 'pour it on' here, we have a chance of thwarting victory from at least one adversary!

    I believe that D32 has been the one seriously problematic district in AACo, and there is a real chance here to sweep the Delegate seats. Those 3 pickups will go a long way to the 7 or 8 seats that need to flip statewide. IMO, the MUST have seats are Walters and Bailey, with Grasso being a 'try hard', and Ewing an 'if at all possible'.
     

    ToolAA

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 17, 2016
    10,460
    God's Country
    Thanks for taking the time to post this. While I know the enemies at the gate in my own district it’s nice to have a quick reference for candidates in locations. You never know when you might have the opportunity to help a friend or colleague in another district make an informed choice.
     

    Mr H

    Banana'd
    The only thing I might mention as an 'incomplete', is to not mention that Mike & Mike are vulnerable.

    Not only did Busch nearly lose his seat in '14, they both have AIUI polled poorly, have serious health issues and should have stepped aside last year.

    This is over and above the political demons they are.
     

    Amigo109

    Active Member
    Jan 25, 2018
    265
    Columbia MD
    Thank you, this was EXACTLY what I needed. You really outdid yourself with a long and thorough post. I can't even keep track m of the people running in my own district, much less every district state wide.
     

    babalou

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 12, 2013
    15,988
    Glenelg
    unbelievably excellent and informative!! Thanks. Weird. I am on the border of 14 and 15 in Germantown- the old part off Middlebrook and Great Seneca. Thought I was 15 but looks to be 14.
     

    tallen702

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 3, 2012
    5,101
    In the boonies of MoCo
    Any particular reason to vote against Franchot other than straight ticket? He's been pretty non-partisan in his office from what I've seen in my years living here. Just asking in case there's something I haven't seen.
     

    klutch

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2018
    179
    Any particular reason to vote against Franchot other than straight ticket? He's been pretty non-partisan in his office from what I've seen in my years living here. Just asking in case there's something I haven't seen.
    The reason I don't like Franchot is that while as a Delegate, he was one of our worst enemies. I realize that as Comptroller he's gotten a bit more moderate, but I don't see where he's been any more sympathetic to gun owners. Now with that position being what it is, he doesn't have quite the influence that he had as a legislator, but he does exercise some control over the purse strings when it comes to certain allocations and whatnot. I don't know all the details as to how that works, but I'll try to find out (or someone else can).
     
    Last edited:

    klutch

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2018
    179
    Mike Rogers (a relative newcomer whom I like personally, but holds positions very few here would agree with)

    Other than the fact that he's weak on RKBA, where else does he fall short?
     

    tallen702

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 3, 2012
    5,101
    In the boonies of MoCo
    The reason I don't like Franchot is that while as a Delegate, he was one of our worst enemies. I realize that as Comptroller he's gotten a bit more moderate, but I don't see where he's been any more sympathetic to gun owners. Now with that position being what it is, he doesn't have quite the influence that he had as a legislator, but he does exercise some control over the purse strings when it comes to certain allocations and whatnot. I don't know all the details as to how that works, but I'll try to find out (or someone else can).

    Okay, I think his time as a delegate was well before my time here in the state. I like the fact that he's gone toe to toe with hardline Dems on things like the craft beer law, calling out Dems on the Baltimore city and Baltimore County school screwups and graft, supporting the bid to start school after Labor Day, and really hammering tax cheats and fraud.

    Seems like a Reagan Democrat in a lot of areas that are important to turning this state around.
     

    klutch

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2018
    179
    As I'm hearing, most of his support is from out of state, but my comment was geared toward 2A issues.

    Well, I knew he was a bit weak on RKBA matters. I was wondering about everything else. Out of State support doesn't sit well with me, though.
     

    klutch

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2018
    179
    Okay, I think his time as a delegate was well before my time here in the state. I like the fact that he's gone toe to toe with hardline Dems on things like the craft beer law, calling out Dems on the Baltimore city and Baltimore County school screwups and graft, supporting the bid to start school after Labor Day, and really hammering tax cheats and fraud.

    Seems like a Reagan Democrat in a lot of areas that are important to turning this state around.

    Since becoming Comptroller, he's gotten religion on fiscal matters, and that's worth something. I also laud him for insisting that school start after Labor Day. It was that way most of the time while I was growing up. If it was OK then, why didn't they just continue with that? Oh, I forgot, they need to indoctrinate the kids more! ;) But I digress.


    In light of all that, I don't feel he's come around on RKBA matters; and I'd rather that we throw our support behind someone who'll be more sympathetic to us.
     

    klutch

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2018
    179
    Okay, I think his time as a delegate was well before my time here in the state. I like the fact that he's gone toe to toe with hardline Dems on things like the craft beer law, calling out Dems on the Baltimore city and Baltimore County school screwups and graft, supporting the bid to start school after Labor Day, and really hammering tax cheats and fraud.

    Seems like a Reagan Democrat in a lot of areas that are important to turning this state around.

    Since becoming Comptroller, he's gotten religion on fiscal matters, and that's worth something. I also laud him for insisting that school start after Labor Day. It was that way most of the time while I was growing up. If it was OK then, why didn't they just continue with that? Oh, I forgot, they need to indoctrinate the kids more!;) But I digress.

    In light of all that and as mentioned earlier, I don't feel he's come around on RKBA matters; and I'd rather that we throw our support behind someone who'll be more sympathetic to us if and when push comes to shove.
     
    Last edited:

    klutch

    Active Member
    Mar 27, 2018
    179
    I appreciate the work you put into this, and the pieces I've seen that I'm familiar with are pretty accurate.

    My personal opinions/observations here, from working alongside (and past dealings with) several of them...

    See colored text...



    I believe that D32 has been the one seriously problematic district in AACo, and there is a real chance here to sweep the Delegate seats. Those 3 pickups will go a long way to the 7 or 8 seats that need to flip statewide. IMO, the MUST have seats are Walters and Bailey, with Grasso being a 'try hard', and Ewing an 'if at all possible'.

    D. 32 is one of the more important races in AA Co. and the state; which is why we need to be involved there. We have another set of races in AACo which bears similar if not greater concern. The Senate race in 30; as well as sub-district 30A. I've already spoke of the situation for the Senate race in my initial piece. Now in 30A, I'm concerned that Bob O'Shea and Chelsea Gill may not be up to the task of kicking their opponents to the curb, which will be essential! PROVE ME WRONG!!!
     

    Mr H

    Banana'd
    Minor addendum to 31A...

    Brooks Bennett needs your support. I've spoken with him at length, and he is definitely not only one of us, but fully understanding of the challenges we're facing this cycle and going forward.

    I should be seeing him tomorrow night, and would love to give him some positive feedback.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,702
    Messages
    7,249,026
    Members
    33,310
    Latest member
    Skarface

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom