by Michael TaborIt's always interesting to me. When someone like Obama runs for President, folks are always willing to take unpaid leave and schlep to PA, Florida and Ohio. And, no doubt about it, electing a decent president is really important. But when it comes to really influencing politics on the grassroots level where it counts and, getting good people elected to the State Assembly in most districts... forget about it! Next time you're at a get together in Wheaton, Rockville or Bethesda, ask how many people know what state legislative district they live in and who their delegates and senators are. Very few will.
So, I'm going out on a limb, and publishing this list and evaluation of who we've elected (or appointed) here in Montgomery County as our representatives in the MD General Assembly. I've spoken with over a dozen reps from social justice groups and progressive activists who lobby for a wide variety of citizen concerns - healthcare, slots, the ICC, public transportation gender rights, campaign finance reform, the environment, etc. So, this is a composite view. I encourage you to share it with friends in other parts of the County, and most importantly, use it as a checklist to evaluate the actions of your elected officials in the upcoming MD General Assembly. Perhaps they'll act more judiciously if they know they're under the scrutiny of a watchful public.
DISTRICT 14 - Eastern Mo. Co - Olney, Burtonsville, Damascus, Colesville
Senator Rona Kramer - Senator from the Chamber of Commerce! Represents the interests of developers, realtors and corporate business. Has sponsored some gender-related legislation, but generally is "indistinguishable from a Republican," according to most of those I interviewed.
Del. Anne Kaiser - A rising star. Studious, does her homework. However, is faulted for opposing the enabling legislation for campaign finance reform in MO County. Strong on the environment and against the ICC. Gets high marks.
Del. Karen Montgomery - A progressive on healthcare, the environment, ICC, but thought to be unassertive. Some questioned her effectiveness. Means well.
Del. Herman Taylor - Leader on the living wage and other progressive issues. But is faulted for being easily distracted in committee, and not doing research or homework. His pro-life position would prevent him from effectively challenging Senator Kramer.
DISTRICT 15 - Potomac/Western Bethesda/North Country to Frederick Co.
Senator Rob Garagiola - Ambitious (some say blindly). Caters to Mike Miller and corporate power. Has angered many for lack of social justice commitment. Classic opportunist.
Delegate Craig Rice - Liberal and likeable. Considered weak on the progressive income tax legislation. Folks are still undecided and watchful.
Delegate Kathleen Dumais - Mixed reviews. Opposed slots but voted for the referendum. Well regarded on civil rights, gender and family law issues. But led opposition to increased tax on the wealthy. Gets hung up on process to the point of obstructionism. Sometimes buckles under pressure.
Del. Brian Feldman - Chair of the delegation. Thought generally to be smart, hard working and influential. But conservative, representing business and biotech interests. Kept quiet on the ICC and less than helpful in promoting progressive income tax reform. Defers to O'Malley on key issues.
DISTRICT 16 - Upper N.E. section of Montgomery County
Senator Brian Frosh - Has a shot at replacing Senate President Mike Miller. Mixed reviews. Thought to be more conservative and cautious recently. Angered and disappointed gender rights community. But has been good on environment, slots and healthcare issues. Strongly and publicly opposed the rollback on phosphate pollution labeling it "The Proctor and Gamble Relief Act." Hasn't stepped up as a progressive leader and hasn't publicly opposed Miller which many feel he has to do.
Del. William Bronrott - A generally reliable liberal vote. Ambitious, was the word most used. Traffic safety, drunk driving, walking as the state exercise, drug abuse are his areas. Many thought he was indecisive and disappointing on progressive issues.
Del. C. William Frick - Generally good on liberal issues but won't get involved in controversial issues. Thought of as a "rising star" with good political skills. Strong supporter of Bronrott. Consensus oriented - probably the reason he was appointed in lieu of others far more experienced.
Del. Susan Lee - Mixed reviews. Kind hearted and good on many liberal issues. Representative of the Asian community. Opposed to slots but voted for the referendum. But not thought of as a driving, strong force. Recorded a "no vote" (abstained) along with the 2 other district delegates on the progressive tax proposal. But voted for the income tax overhaul in the special session.
DISTRICT 17 - Gaithersburg and Rockville
Senator Jennie Forehand - Often compared to Ida Ruben and most hope she'll be challenged in the next election or step down. Passed over for Senate leadership. Strong on immigrant rights and civil liberties.
Del. Kumar Barve - Confident, intelligent and in line for a committee chair. But thought of as a consensus player. Has a good sense of humor. Is thought to no longer live in his district for the last 4 years. Tax problems. Not strong on progressive issues. Considered arrogant and imperious by some.
Del Jim Gilchrist - Good guy. Lots of integrity. Opposes slots and the ICC. Highly regarded. Should get strong support from progressives. Puts his money where his mouth is.
Del. Luiz Simmons - Anti-Slots. Eloquent. Smart. But labeled male chauvinist and bad on domestic violence issues. Flush with developer money, an egotist and behaves like a Republican much of the time. Likes giving speeches, is disliked by leadership and rarely gets legislation passed.
DISTRICT 18 - Chevy Chase, Wheaton, Kensington, Silver Spring
Sen. Richard Madaleno - Chair of Montgomery County Senate Delegation. Although he knows and understands budget issues and is a good on gay rights, he's generally bad on many progressive issues. In favor of slots, pro ICC, against the Purple Line, against the progressive income tax. Represents the most wealthy Chevy Chase country club set in his district. He did, however, argue for tax reform in the special session.
Del. Al Carr - Many like him personally and think of him as smart and dedicated to the public interest, but feel he hasn't made the transition from town council to state delegate. Has missed deadlines for submission of bills. Very vulnerable if challenged.
Del Ana Sol Gutierrez - Has progressive views and is hard working. I like her a lot. Strong representative for the underserved Latino community. But some progressives have been critical and feel she is often "ineffective" and not taken seriously enough.
Del Jeff Waldstreicher - Young and generally liberal. Introduced a flurry of bills last session. But again, there were mixed reviews. Most were critical. Some question his ambitionand extent of commitment to a progressive agenda.
DISTRICT 19 - Leisure World, Aspen Hill
Senator Mike Lenett - Lenett actually comes to the Senate with strong liberal credentials but it's felt he hasn't been able to act on them. His sponsorship of the Proctor and Gamble pollution extension bill was a disappointment and exemplifies his catering to leadership. I'd like to see him put some good legislation into play this session before we write him off.
Del. Henry Heller - Mediocre but stepped up on the ICC and has been well-intentioned in the past. Sleeps and snores at committee meetings. Most feel it's time for him to step down.
Del. Ben Kramer - Real disappointment from everyone. Not well respected. Represents development and corporate interests over constituents. Should be watched to ensure he doesn't run a well-funded race against Lenett for the district senate seat. Arrogant.
Del. Roger Manno - Well respected, gracious, does his homework, highly regarded. One sour note was his stand on the ICC.
DISTRICT 39 - Germantown, Northern Potomac, Montgomery Village
Sen. Nancy King - Powerful, but too conservative. "Likes being a senator rather than being effective," "Doesn't do her homework." Converted Republican.
Del. Charles Barkley - Annoys people. Doesn't work well with others. Lacks political skills. Completely ineffective. Quiet on the ICC despite its impact on his district.
Del. Saqib Ali - Has progressive beliefs and tendencies. Smart and knows how to reach out to people. But most thought he needs more depth and time to become more seasoned. He signed onto all the anti-ICC bills and spoke publicly against it.
DISTRICT 20 - Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Sen. Jamie Raskin - Vice chairman of Montgomery County Senate Delegation, rising progressive leader. Everyone respects his grasp of law and the Constitution. A "whiz kid" was a reference used to describe Jamie. He set a high standard for a freshman senator, having introduced 16 bills during his first two sessions including tenant protections, victim civil rights, consumer protection and the Jane Lawton Farm-to-Schools bill.
Del. Sheila Hixson - Chairperson of "Ways and Means Committee". Very powerful force. I've been critical of her in the past, particularly because of her stand supporting the ICC. But I've since come to respect her. "What you see is what you get...she doesn't lead you down the path...never condescending." Accessible to constituents." She's considered ultra-effective on issues she supports. It's thought that "the progressive positions from the rest of the delegation have buoyed and perhaps encouraged and re-energized her".
Del. Tom Hucker - From my perspective, Tom supports a strong progressive agenda and I've been a supporter of him. He did vote for the slots referendum and that disappointed many progressives. Resented for some of his "alpha-male" persona. Has a strong workers rights agenda, but many feel "he's very quick to cut deals with leadership."
Del. Heather Mizeur - Very strong support and admiration. "Bright, capable...works in the interest of the common good and the under-represented." Most thought she is one of the most promising delegates from Montgomery County.
Great column, Mike. I'm printing this out and going to Annapolis with it!
John Q. Public