“The only time in my life that I got to vote for a perfect candidate was when I ran the first time. By the time I ran for re-election, it wasn’t true anymore because there were a couple things on my record that I had to do that weren’t perfect.”
— Barney Frank (Boston Globe, August 7, 2006)
With Congressman Frank’s words in mind, I weigh in on the Maryland primary election on September 12. Somewhere between idealism and pragmatism, I have formed opinions on which candidates I feel comfortable recommending for public office.
I gathered my thoughts by listening carefully to the candidates, visiting their websites, and reading the questionnaires that we distributed to them. You, too, have access to the questions that I posed to the candidates. Their answers are available on our website: www.takoma.com and www.silverspringvoice.com. There, we also link to candidate websites and provide a link to the candidate forums that we hosted—available via streaming video on the City of Takoma Park website. (Many thanks to the City and to Lonni Moffet, Alvaro Calabia, and the rest of the crew at Takoma Park Television.)
As I wrote in my July editorial, there is one issue that I cannot ignore in this election: climate change. Some people I know have expressed the opinion that local governments can do little to slow the rate at which humans pump carbon into the atmosphere; the only real change will come when the federal government and energy industries join the cause. I agree that when that happens, progress will come quickly. Unfortunately, our current president scoffs at science.
Because of the urgency of our situation, we cannot wait and hope that the next president will be of a different breed. And if he or she is not, what then? Wait another four years? Community by community, state by state, we can and must address climate change. The new California initiative to cut emissions shows what states can do. What more can be done in Maryland, in Montgomery County? We need leaders who are willing to rethink our energy, transportation, housing, and related policies.
I have many other concerns, of course. We are in the midst of a housing crisis, a heathcare crisis, a wage crisis. More and more people are overextended or priced out of their home communities because their stagnant salary cannot keep pace with rising costs. Our elected officials must be prepared to find solutions to these related problems.
Fortunately, in this election, we have many excellent candidates to choose from. To ideological purists no one is perfect. But most are honestly committed to public service. And a few are even outright activists.
In the Maryland Senate race, I endorse Kweisi Mfume. Quite frankly, Maryland will likely do all right if we elect either Cardin or Mfume. Both are opposed to the war in Iraq and are pushing for an exit strategy. Both run on a strong environmental platform. Both have records of working on behalf of low-income Marylanders. However, I do find myself leaning away from Cardin because of his coronation by Democratic insiders. We have too many well-funded, party-directed “suits” in the Senate already. Although Cardin challenges the President for his flouting of international law and domestic spying, Cardin still voted for the Patriot Act. This troubles me. Mfume has built an impressive reputation as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and president of the NAACP. He has a reputation for independent and principled action. His personal life is both inspiring and troubling, depending on which period of his life you look at and how much stock you put into allegations of womanizing. But the election is for the senate, not sainthood. I understand that choosing a candidate who can beat Republican Michael Steele may be a tactical consideration in this race. However, I don’t feel qualified to advise on which of these two will stand a better chance.
In Maryland Congressional District 8, I recommend Democrat Chris Van Hollen for another term. Van Hollen does face passionate opposition from Deborah Vollmer, who can’t be faulted for her desire to bring American troops home from the Iraq debacle. She opposes Van Hollen for voting to fund the war and for failing to lead on troop withdrawal. (Van Hollen has consistently expressed opposition to the war—and he was not in office when the initial vote was taken). I hope that Vollmer’s campaign pushes Van Hollen to take an even stronger position in this crucial issue. But, Van Hollen has been an ethical and progressive congressman. He has been consistently outspoken on Iraq. His funding votes are not endorsements of the war, in my view. I look forward to seeing him take a leading role in a new House of Representatives.
In Maryland Congressional District 4, Al Wynn has got to go. A seven-term congressman, Wynn has been a Democratic stalwart. But he does not represent the progressive wing of that party. Time and again he has failed to stand up when it was most needed—voting to authorize the war in Iraq, voting to drill in Alaska, voting to subside petroleum interests. Fortunately, Democrat Donna Edwards is challenging the notion of business as usual in Congress. Edwards is enthusiastic, well-informed, and determined to make a difference. She supports the rights of the people over the interests of corporations (For example, Wynn recently voted against net neutrality). And she does not resort to thuggery and intimidation as campaign tactics.
In the Governor’s race, voters don’t really face a choice at the primary level. I do endorse Democratic candidate Martin O’Malley. However, since he does not face a challenger in the primary, I will save my complete assessment until the November issue. Suffice it to say that Ehrlich has done little to serve most Marylanders over the past four years.
Rarely does the position of Comptroller take on as much interest and urgency as it does this year. However, the antics of Democrat William Donald Schaefer lost their charm long ago; and his close ties to Governor Ehrlich—voting with him on nearly everything—makes him more than an embarrassment. Local Democrat Peter Franchot has run a strong, well-organized, and well executed campaign to unseat Schaefer. For that alone, he deserves praise. But Franchot—proclaiming himself the only Democrat in the race—is running on a progressive agenda. The Comptroller has limited power, much of the job is administrative—but he or she does hold a crucial vote on the Maryland Board of Public Works. Why not vote for an activist with a commitment to the environment, education, and health care? Latecomer Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens offers little in these terms. Peter Franchot is the best candidate for this position.
For the office of Maryland Attorney General, I endorse Democrat Stuart Simms—with reluctance. My hesitation stems from disappointment that local candidate Tom Perez was disqualified for the position in late August. Perez would have set a strong principled standard as Attorney General. Simms has the experience and integrity to be a good Attorney General. Perez has given his endorsement to Simms, and I follow suit.
In the District 20 Maryland Senate race, the Voice enthusiastically endorses Jamie Raskin. Raskin—an American University law professor—has made his mark as a champion of civil rights, both locally and nationally. He already knows the meaning of constituent service, having spent years representing fellow citizens whose rights have been trampled upon. Raskin knows and understands the environmental threats that we face, and he has made that a priority of his campaign. In fact, unlike the incumbent, Raskin takes a burning interest in the wide variety of our other top concerns: healthcare, housing, education, and jobs. Raskin has the drive and scruples to be a progressive force in the General Assembly—without resorting to the bullying tactics for which the Ruben is infamous. Also, Raskin is taking no corporate contributions, making it clear that, if elected, his seat is not for sale. We need a senator who opposes the cronyism that continues to plague Maryland politics. It's time for a change, and Raskin has earned his reputation as a change agent.
In the District 20 Maryland Delegate race, I see no negative outcome. Seven decent Democratic candidates are running for three seats. I have my preferences and my worries, but none of these candidates would be a horrible choice.
My first choice for this position is Lucinda Lessley. An aide to U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Lessley possesses the legislative knowledge to hit the ground running. But more importantly, Lessley has the heart for the job. Lacking the questionable financing of some other campaigns, Lessley has nonetheless run a well-organized and strong campaign to introduce herself to the voters of District 20. She has been acknowledged as the clear winner of the door-knocking competition. Lessley is articulate, knowledgeable and determined to fight for the long-term health and prosperity of Marylanders by curbing growth and investing in sustainable modes. Lessley displays a sincerity that is rare in a candidate for public office.
Heather Mizeur also deserves a vote. Like Lessley, Mizeur has a political background, having served as an advisor for Senator John Kerry. Mizeur is running on a strong agenda to mend the safety net that has become so frayed in recent years. Anyone who has met Heather knows that she is sharp-witted, strong-willed, and bold. I would like to see her put those traits to good use as a champion of her excellent agenda in Annapolis.
Finally, I support Sheila Hixson, who rightly reminded her opponents at the Voice election forum that principles don’t matter much if you don’t have money to fund them. Hixson’s experience, liberal values, and affability would go far toward establishing an effective District 20 team. While Hixson has not built a platform as expansive as those of the other candidates for this office, she has established good solid credentials over the years. As the chair of the Ways and Means committee, Hixson, along with new eager District 20 colleagues, could get quite a bit accomplished.
Our next County Executive ought to be Democrat Ike Leggett. It is hard to forget that Steve Silverman ran on the pro-growth “End Gridlock” slate for County Council four years ago. It’s hard to forget because I have passed his “Tired of Traffic” signs enough to be reminded of his previous vow. And there’s still traffic. His ties to developer contributions and support for the ICC are a continuing concern for me as I think about reducing emissions in Montgomery County. I am also put off by his negative campaign tactics. Leggett has built broad grassroots support based upon his skill at listening to constituents and following through. While Leggett and Silverman say many of the same things about such issues as “Smartgrowth” and building the Purple Line, Leggett comes across with sincerity and genuine interest. And he acknowledges that issues are complex. Billboards and slogans have not reduced traffic.
I recommend Democrat John McCarthy for the office of Montgomery County State’s Attorney. His opponent, Dan Fox, is running an aggressive campaign against outgoing State’s Attorney Doug Gansler. But Gansler isn’t running for that office. McCarthy is—and McCarthy is hardly accountable for every problem in the State’s Attorney’s office. McCarthy has built a solid reputation over the past ten years as a Deputy State’s Attorney. He has been an effective prosecutor, though less flashy than his boss or his opponent. But this is not a job that requires flash. Just good law enforcement credentials, and McCarthy’s got those.
Hans Riemer and Valerie Ervin are both excellent candidates for Montgomery County Council, District 5. I imagine that we will be well served no matter who wins. Riemer has run a smart, focused campaign through all of the uncertainty over who was and was not running for that office. It is a bit unfair to Riemer that Ervin jumped in at the last minute. Still, her decision is understandable, given the changing roster of candidates for Perez’s seat. While both Riemer and Ervin represent progressive politics, Ervin has an edge, due to her long involvement with Montgomery County issues as a PTA activist, labor educator, and a member of the school board. She has also raised two children by herself and knows firsthand the difficulties of economic survival.
Montgomery County has four At-Large Councilmembers.
Current Takoma Park City Council member Democrat Marc Elrich is clearly the best candidate for one of these seats. From his many years on the city council, Elrich knows what it means to balance progressive principles against a tight budget. He has been a champion of affordable housing in Takoma Park and elsewhere in the county. And as a teacher at Rolling Terrace Elementary School, Elrich has shown his dedication to making a difference in the lives of his neighbors. As an activist, Elrich has made his mark as a principled environmental advocate.
Democrat Duchy Trachtenberg is another clear choice. The reason why is best expressed in her own words: “Instead of spending millions on more development and roads in the outer reaches of Montgomery County, I’ll fight to invest in our transportation needs in existing communities; I’ll fight to clean up our public health infrastructure; I’ll fight for education initiatives that honor our diversity and our future.” We need this voice on our county council.
Another inspiring candidate is Democrat Hugh Bailey. Bailey has built his life around helping people find adequate work and housing. He calls for a shift in county priorities, away from sprawl and toward meeting the needs of current residents.
George Leventhal may not seem a natural fit with these other endorsements. After all, Leventhal was a member of the “End Gridlock” slate that steamrolled over the slow growth opposition in the last election. But Leventhal has proved to be a sincere and thoughtful county legislator. While I disagree with George on county growth (he sees it in a more positive light), he has also embraced environmental initiatives like the reduction of power plant emissions and green building. His record clearly distinguishes him from the other two At-Large incumbents.
For the Board of Education, I recommend Shirley Brandman in the At-Large seat and Nancy Navarro in District 5. We have a problem with two-tiered education in Montgomery County—with more resources often going to those who least need them.
Brandman has raised her voice against the philosophy of “teaching toward the test.” And as a lawyer, she has advocated on behalf of children who have been denied access to basic human rights.
As a co-founder of Centro Familia, Navarro has a laudable background in the education issues that immigrant families face. She has shown her commitment to keeping any Montgomery County kids from falling through the cracks. We need to keep Navarro on the Board, and add Brandman.
— Eric Bond, Editor
