I talked with former Delegate and current candidate for Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker (D) about how he feels about his chances in the race and commented on a picture in the Washington Post from 2008.
A press release from Baltimore/Harford Del. Pat McDonough (R-Dist. 7) says that according to a Patrick Gonzalez Poll completed over the weekend, McDonough has the potential to conduct a strong race for Baltimore County Executive.
The press release adds that the poll indicated that the delegate’s name recognition was 44% with 20% favorable and 6% unfavorable. In a match-up with the two leading Democrat contenders, McDonough received 26% with Councilman Kevin Kamenetz (D-Dist. 2) receiving 32% with 42% undecided. Councilman Joseph Bartenfelder (D-Dist. 6) received 32% with McDonough receiving 27% and 41% undecided.
McDonough was thinking about running for governor, but said that he was no longer doing so speaking with reporters at the state house during opening day exercises, citing that he believes that former Governor Robert Ehrlich (R) was going to re-eneter the race. As I tweeted last week from the state house, McDonough says that the signs that Ehrlich is going to enter the race are around him.
It’s going to be an interesting time for Prince George’s County as County Executive Jack Johnson is term limited (and is considering running against Governor Martin O’Malley in the Democratic Primary). County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey is looking to challenge U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards in the Democratic primary in the fourth congressional district.
The scenarios are covered by The Washington Afro-American, where I also shared my thoughts with reporter George Barnette.
Believe it or not, four of the seven Baltimore County Council members said that they would not approve giving themselves raises suggested by an advisory panel. It should also be noted that two of the council members (Chairman Joseph Bartenfelder D-Dist. 6 and Kevin Kamentez D-Dist. 2) are also considering a run for County Executive next week.
More from The Baltimore Sun.
WBAL (1090AM) is also reporting that the advisory board that recommended the raises violated the open meetings act.
Washington Post columnist Robert McCartney is reporting that that Prince George’s County Sheriff Michael A. Jackson (D) is running for County Executive.
We also know about someone else’s plans. Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith (D) has ruled out running for comptroller against Peter Franchot (D).
In a statement released yesterday, Smith called it a tough decision after thinking about it for a long time, and he has decided that being Comptroller is not something that he wants to aspire to. “I have never pursued any elected office because it was expedient. I always sought the opportunity to serve because I thought I could make a real difference — as a councilman, a judge, and currently as County Executive. I did not feel that passion when considering a run for Comptroller.”
Smith was heavily favored to take on Franchot…who himself probably felt the same thing as he made a cople of public appearances in Baltimore County while back advocating for more schools to be built in the county.
It’s safe to say that many people are not a fan of Washington, DC sending their young offenders 30 miles outside of the city to Anne Arundel County, especially when it was the Oak Hill Youth Center in Laurel. Oak Hill was known for it’s lacksidasical style of security. If you are Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold (R), you are getting pretty frustrated with the situation, especially after the latest prison break, the second since the new “New Beginnings Youth Center” opened, just over a month ago.
Leopold sent a letter to DC Mayor Adrian Fenty (D) calling for better security for the center. “My opposition to locating this facility in Anne Arundel County has not changed, because juvenile offenders should be rehabilitated in their own jurisdiction,” said Leopold. “Despite the name change from Oak Hill to New Beginnings, there has been no end to a long history of escapes.”
A dozen women who work with Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold (R) came defended his character Friday. The Baltimore Sun say that the women organized the press conference without Leopold’s prompting and on their own personal time. WBAL-TV (Channel 11) reporter John Sherman gives a good recap.
WJLA-TV (Channel 7) says that Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett was involved in a car accident with minor injuries.
Leggett and his wife were passengers of a county SUV being driven by a police officer. The vehicle was hit by a pick-uyp that ran a red light.
Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold is shrugging his shoulders off concerning an activity complaint surround his county issued vehicle in the parking lot of the Westfield Annapolis Mall.
The Baltimore Sun reporting that a 911 tape of the incident which happened in January was released yesterday. A caller reported activity in the vehicle which the caller said was not propoer. Anne Arundel County Police found nothing improper according to Leopold who said, “As a public official, it is unfortunate to have to respond to rumors and gossip. I have been asked to respond to an allegation from an anonymous caller that was found to have no merit.”
The campaign for Rushern Baker is reporting that they raised over $200,000 in a one year period through January 14 of this year. The campaign eliminated the majority of its debts, except obligations pending negotiations, and they add that they are prepared for an aggressive run for the office of Prince George’s County Executive in 2010.
Baker, a former state delegate said that the campaign “Welcome the show of confidence in our campaign from around the county. The willingness of people and businesses to support positive change where they live and work through their financial contributions keeps me humble.” Baker added that while the dollar count now, the ideas will make the difference in 2010.
ANNAPOLIS — Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson (D) said that he and Rushern Baker has always been friends. As a matter of fact Johnson said, “We never not made up.” This was in response to a question I asked concerning a picture of him and former delegate Rushern Baker (D) that was in The Washington Post from this past summer.
This picture was taken as Johnson and Baker were returning from Denver where the 2008 Democratic National Convention was being held, which prompted a possible “life is short, let’s work together” possibility.
It was almost a year ago when Johnson called Baker a loser, after the Prince George’s Democratic Central Committee did not pick the former County Executive candidate as a successor to the late Prince George’s Senator Gwendolyn Britt (D-Dist. 47). Of calling Baker a loser, Johnson said “sometimes you say things that are not kind and you regret it.” When asked specifically about whether he regretted calling Baker a loser, Johnson repeated the same statement.
He went on to state his point that he became friends with Major Riddick, Jim Estepp and current Prince George’s Senator C. Anthony Muse (D-Dist. 26) after he campaigned against them for County Exectuive. Keep in mind these were the candidates in 2002. “Rushern tends to be very personal in a campaign and I don’t think you need to do that. I don’t think you have to try to tear people down in order to move up in life.” Johnson accuses the Baker campaign of being very personal over the last six years.
In regards to the new legislative session, Johnson said that this is the first year that he does not have a blueprint for his budget, adding that the county is not going to ask for additional money. Knowing that he will get a cut from the state, the county will be looking to make sure that it’s a fair cut. “Sen. [Ulysses] Currie is key to that because he is chair of the budget and taxation committee and we are hoping everything works really well for him.” Johnson also takes note that revenues need to be raised and said that they plan on proposing two bills in the legislature to do that. If they pass, all will be well.
Johnson, who is term limited in 2010, is thinking about pursuing statewide office when he leaves next year. “I haven’t decided which one I am going to pursue yet…I may not pursue any, but I am definitely keeping my options open.”
