Thursday, September 30, 2010
Phil Andrews, Council At-Large, 1994
Phil Andrews is now known as the virtually invulnerable County Council Member from District 3 (Rockville/Gaithersburg), but he did not start out that way. Andrews first ran for a council at-large seat in 1994. Here is his kickoff letter to Democratic Party activists, citing his experience with Common Cause and his vow not to take PAC or developer money - a promise he has kept to this day.
MoCo Demographics and Voting, Part Four
Five top-tier candidates ran in the 2006 Council At-Large primary: incumbents George Leventhal, Nancy Floreen and Mike Subin and labor-backed challengers Marc Elrich and Duchy Trachtenberg. A host of less competitive candidates also ran, including four who were black and one who was Asian.Did the demographic characteristics of the county’s precincts have any effect on these candidates’ votes?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
End Gridlock Team, Council At-Large, 2002
During the entire 1998-2002 term, freshman Council Member Blair Ewing battled County Executive Doug Duncan on the ICC, development policy, living wage and other issues. In the spring of 2002, intense speculation centered on whether Ewing would challenge Duncan in the primary. Ewing instead formed a slate of challengers to take over the council, prompting Duncan to form his own slate: the End
Ariana Kelly Joins District 16 Democratic Team
Ariana Kelly, who won the Democratic primary for the District 16 House seat, has now joined the incumbent slate of Senator Brian Frosh and Delegates Susan Lee and Bill Frick. The four will campaign together against the Republican candidates in the general election. Following is an email sent by Kelly to her supporters yesterday.Ariana Kelly Welcomed to District 16 Democratic TeamDelegate
MoCo Demographics and Voting, Part Three
Conventional wisdom holds that voters of color do not turn out at the same rate as white voters. How true is that in Montgomery County?As we detailed in Part One, we have collected precinct-level data on population percentages of Hispanic, white non-Hispanic, black non-Hispanic and Asian non-Hispanic residents and merged it with precinct-level turnout and voting data. This does not allow us to
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Jeff Waldstreicher's Walk Piece, 2006
This is the walk piece used by District 18 Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher in his first run for office in 2006. Jeff won a close race over fellow first-time contender Dan Farrington for the third Delegate seat and finished second in the primary this year.
Karen Montgomery Declares Victory
The Board of Elections has released its official primary results that show Karen Montgomery defeating District 14 Senator Rona Kramer by a 4,973 to 4,857 vote tally. Montgomery sent the following email to her supporters claiming victory.VICTORY!Dear [Voter], To all the wonderful people who have helped in my campaign for Senate in District 14: THANK YOU!!!! What you did:Organized neighborhood
MoCo Demographics and Voting, Part Two
As we saw in Part One, MoCo’s major demographic groups are not distributed evenly across the county. Here are the percentages of Hispanics, white non-Hispanics, black non-Hispanics and Asian non-Hispanics in every Congressional, legislative and council district as well as each locality in the county.Two years ago, we demonstrated that Montgomery County was the most diverse jurisdiction in
Monday, September 27, 2010
Welcome to the New Normal
Over the last two years, a number of adjectives have been used to describe the county’s ongoing budget crisis. “Unprecedented.” “Abysmal.” “Devastating.” “Unthinkable.” Well, maybe those adjectives were suitable as the county’s Great Recession got underway, but now they’re obsolete. Budget disaster here is the New Normal.In the spring of 2008, the big budget battle was whether county
MoCo Demographics and Voting, Part One
Like many of you, we are eagerly entering the precinct-level counts from the recent primary. (OK, we know that not all of you are on the edges of your seats about that – just the really nerdy ones. But we love all of you data dorks on MPW!) While we work on that task, we offer our readers a new layer of electoral analysis. In our prior work, especially on the Council At-Large race, we focused
Sunday, September 26, 2010
No Gain, No Loss
Election Data Services projects that Maryland will neither gain nor lose a seat in congressional reapportionment this year. Based on ESRI's unofficial estimates--not the official census numbers that have yet to be released--Maryland's eighth district will be the 409th to be awarded while the U.S. House would need to have 462 seats for us to gain a ninth district.As the map shows, most of the
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Ike Leggett's Journal Profile, 1990
In 1990, then-freshman Council Member Ike Leggett was running for reelection. Here is what Leggett had to say in the Montgomery Journal about his goals for his second term.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Robin Ficker's Term Limits Initiative, 2000
Robin Ficker's ballot initiative to pass term limits for county office holders may not get through the courts this year, but this is not the first time Ficker has tried to pass them and it probably won't be the last. In 2000, Ficker put Question C on the ballot, which would have limited county elected officials to two terms. Almost the entire political establishment joined forces to defeat it
Thursday, September 23, 2010
A Really Cool Positive Idea
Kudos to Dan Savage for beginning this amazing and brave online video series profiled in the New York Times called the It Gets Better Project. Dan was inspired to start this after hearing about Billy Lucas, an Indiana gay teen targeted by bullies who committed suicide. Here is Dan and Terry's video.
Pat Baptiste for Council At-Large, 1998
If we made a list of the heaviest hitters in MoCo politics who have never been elected to federal, state or county office, it would have to include Pat Baptiste. Baptiste is a former Planning Board Member and municipal board member of Chevy Chase Village who has been active in county affairs for decades. She made two runs for County Council: once for an at-large seat in 1998, and once for the
Franchot Responds to Examiner Story on Purple Line
Comptroller Peter Franchot has issued the following statement in response to the Examiner story quoting him as expressing skepticism about the Purple Line.Statement of Comptroller Peter Franchot Regarding Today’s Washington Examiner StorySeptember 23, 2010“In the past three and half years I have never felt the need to respond to an article or column written about me, or positions that I have
Peter Franchot on the Purple Line: A History
Transit advocates must be dismayed at Comptroller Peter Franchot’s comments casting doubt on the viability of the Purple Line, especially since many considered him a project supporter. But is that perception really true? Consider his statements on the project.October 5, 2002Franchot, who was then a District 20 Delegate, is asked this question by the Gazette in its voter guide: “Do you support
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Nancy King Thanks Supporters, Praises Saqib Ali
Senator Nancy King (D-39) has sent the following statement to her supporters thanking them and reaching out to her primary opponent, Delegate Saqib Ali.Thank YouDear Friends,The dust has settled, the votes are in and we made it across the finish line. We could not have done it without you! From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. After running a rigorous campaign over the past several months, I
MCEA/Sierra Club Mailer, District 19 House, 2010
Here's a joint independent mailer sent by MCEA and the Sierra Club on behalf of District 19 Delegate candidates Bonnie Cullison and Jay Hutchins this past summer. Both candidates were endorsed by both groups, making the collaboration possible.
Craig Rice: Thank You, but Beware of Ficker
Council District 2 Democratic primary winner Craig Rice has sent a thank you message to his supporters that pays respect to his Democratic opponents. But Rice also has a warning: don't get complacent because Robin Ficker is his general election opponent. Following is Rice's email.Thank you for your support!Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors, First, let me say thank you. It is because of the
Ana Sol for Delegate, 1998
Here's an odd one. School Board member Ana Sol Gutierrez first ran for Delegate in 1998 against a slate of incumbents. She lost that race, but was elected in 2002 and finished first in this year's primary. In her 1998 run, Gutierrez distributed the flyer below promoting her candidacy. The reverse side of the flyer reprints a column by none other than Blair Lee, who got into a spat with
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Silverman for Delegate, 1994
Steve Silverman is best known for his two terms on the County Council and his run for County Executive in 2006. But few people remember that Silverman ran for Delegate in District 20 back in 1994. All three incumbents – Sheila Hixson (who first entered office in 1976) and two-termers Peter Franchot and Dana Dembrow – were running for reelection.Silverman’s platform was unusually parochial for a
Duchy Trachtenberg: Thank You
Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg sent out the following email to her supporters this morning.Thank You“Think where (wo) man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.”-William Butler YeatesDear Friends:I wanted to send you a short note from the heart to thank you for your support in the campaign that has now concluded. While we ultimately fell short of our goal, the
The Problem with Maryland's Wealth Formulas
Most state aid in Maryland is driven by wealth formulas that direct more aid per capita to “poorer” jurisdictions and less to “wealthy” jurisdictions, thereby effecting significant income transfers. But the wealth formulas used by the state have a critical flaw: they are absolutely unrelated to poverty.Almost all state aid is distributed in one of four ways. First, it can be distributed on the
Monday, September 20, 2010
Valerie Ervin: Fired Up
Council Member Valerie Ervin, who had no primary opponent, has sent the following email to her supporters concerning the general election.Fired Up for Four More Years as Your CouncilmemberFriends, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to you, your family and your friends for supporting me in the 2010 Democratic Primary Election. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve my community as a
Comparing 2010 Primary Election Voting in Leisure World with Voting Elsewhere
By Paul M. Bessel.If you compare the statistics on voting in Leisure World with voting in the county and district 19, there are some interesting comparisons.According to the Montgomery County Board of Elections, about 19% of the registered voters in the county cast ballots in the September 14, 2010, primary.Using statistics from the same source, at least 33% of the registered Democrats in Leisure
Kyle Lierman: Thank You
District 16 House candidate Kyle Lierman has sent the following email thanking his supporters and congratulating the winners of his primary.Dear [Voter],Now that our campaign is over and I've had some time to reflect on the last few months, I want to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to you and all the people who made this campaign possible. As most of you know by now, the final
The Post vs. MCEA: Primary Results
The Post editorial page started going after MCEA back in February, trying its best to affect the appeal of the union's support. Well, the primary returns are in and the endorsements can be compared. So who had the better record - the Post or MCEA?The newspaper and the union disagreed on fourteen positions. Here are the results of their choices.So when the Post and MCEA went head-to-head, the
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Montgomery Needs O’Malley
By Eric Luedtke.I spent my summer knocking on thousands of doors across District 14, asking for votes and listening to what voters had on their minds. Here and there, voters brought up the big issues that get media coverage: marriage equality, abortion, the economy, the schools. But the overwhelming majority of people I spoke with were concerned about things happening to much closer to home.In
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Candidates, Please Take Down Your Campaign Signs
By Paul Gordon.With the primary election over, I would like to thank those candidates who have removed their campaign signs from highway medians and other public spaces around the county. I would also like to ask those candidates who have not yet removed their signs to please do so. In my neighborhood, the Georgia Avenue median between Forest Glen and August Drive is still littered with signs,
Friday, September 17, 2010
Pucker Up! (Updated)
Last night saw the county Democrats’ traditional post-primary Kiss and Make Up Party. And boy, there was a whole lot of kissing up going on!Dems gather to listen to fighting words from the Mighty Babs!The purpose of the Kiss and Make Up Party is to recover from the heated rivalry of the primaries and to unite for the general election. Food, gossip and deal-cutting are just bonuses, as are the
George Leventhal: Thank You
Council Member George Leventhal, who has won the Democratic primary for a third term, has sent the following email to his supporters. Leventhal is a canny political observer, having chaired the party's central committee for five years prior to his first election, and we agree with his remarks on the county's low turnout.Dear [Voter], Thank you so much for your support! I am honored to have won
Why Duchy Trachtenberg Fell
Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg is claiming to be a victim of the unions, blaming them for her defeat in the primary. But for all her many enemies, one person in particular did more to prevent her reelection than anyone else.Duchy Trachtenberg herself.It was May 9, 2008. The County Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, then comprised of Chairwoman Duchy Trachtenberg and Council
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Cheryl Kagan's Concession Statement
District 17 Senate challenger Cheryl Kagan has sent the following email to her supporters after losing a very close race to Senator Jennie Forehand.Dear Friends:Now that the Primary Election is behind us, I want to thank you for your support throughout this campaign and for your kind words in the past few days. Both have meant the world to me. I congratulate Jennie Forehand for her 32 years of
Editor's Note
One popular feature of this blog that has evolved over the last couple months has been our printing of campaign materials. They probably became excessive at the end because we strived to print as many of them as we could. But our sources delighted in comparing and critiquing them, and some candidates will inevitably learn from the ones they liked the best.Campaign season is mostly over in MoCo,
End Gridlock vs. Blair Ewing, Council At-Large, 2002
This is an historic mailer. Shortly before the 2002 primary, the Washington Post published an editorial urging its readers to reject anti-ICC Council Member Blair Ewing and his entire slate. The End Gridlock team turned around this mailer in about 48 hours to finish off Ewing once and for all. It played at least a small part in helping challenger George Leventhal defeat Ewing for the fourth
On Montgomery County’s Plummeting Turnout
Tuesday’s turnout rate was so low that it may signal a threat to the state of Montgomery County’s democracy. Here’s why.Consider these turnout results in MoCo primaries since 1978.Even though the 2010 results currently exclude absentees and provisionals, it is obvious that this year’s turnout will be BY FAR the lowest in at least thirty years.The rate is even worse when comparing the number of
Beyer Blames the Unions for Defeat (Updated)
District 18 Delegate candidate Dana Beyer posted the following statement on her website explaining her defeat in the primary.THE END, FOR NOW September 15, 2010I’d like to take this time to thank everyone who worked on my campaign, whether as adviser, volunteer, field or fundraising, for an exceptional job. You were all professional, focused and committed, and you made the experience a
Another Blogger Bites the Dust
By Marc Korman.Back in December of 2007, David Lublin asked me if I wanted to start writing for his blog Maryland Politics Watch. I eagerly agreed and for about two and a half years have churned out regular entries. Unfortunately, that time is coming to a close.Since Lublin invited me aboard shortly after he posted an email I sent called “Why I Voted for Al Carr” until about three months ago (
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Saqib Ali's Concession Statement
Following is District 39 Senate challenger Saqib Ali's concession statement.We came up just short... My thanks to you.Dear Friend,In April of this year I announced that I would vacate my seat in the House of Delegates to run for the State Senate. On Tuesday we had that Democratic primary election. And even though we ran a great grassroots campaign, our efforts came up just short. Senator Nancy
Volunteer Fire Fighters Claim Victory on Ambulance Fee
The Volunteer Fire Fighters have sent out the following press release celebrating the success of their endorsed candidates and claiming victory in electing enough of them to repeal the ambulance fee. Following is their statement from earlier today.Candidates Endorsed by MCVFRA Win Big in September PrimariesRockville, MD.—Eleven of the 13 candidates endorsed by the Montgomery County Volunteer
Roger Manno: Our Sincerest Thanks
District 19 Senate challenger Roger Manno sent the following email to his supporters after winning what was unquestionably one of the toughest primaries in the state.Our Sincerest ThanksDear friends, neighbors, and family:On behalf of our family and campaign, thank you so much for your support these last few months, and for your efforts towards our success in the Democratic Primary for State
Kiss and Make-Up Party Set for Tomorrow Night
The Woman’s Suburban Democratic Club has scheduled its regular post-primary Kiss and Make-Up Party for tomorrow night, at which winning and losing candidates are expected to unite for the good of the party. Given the unusually nasty races this year, it will be fascinating to see who shows up and who stays home! Following is the announcement.Woman’s Suburban Democratic Club Invites you to its
Becky Wagner: Thank You
Council at-large candidate Becky Wagner sent the following message to her supporters today.Thank YouDear Friends, The primary election may be over, but from my view, your 30,000+ votes mark our beginning. More than 30,000 of you said yes to our vision of a Montgomery County. During the campaign I talked about a County where everyone thrives. We talked about growing our revenue base to pay for
Duchy Trachtenberg's Last Appeal to the Voters
Following is a message Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg posted on her website on Monday. This was her final appeal to the voters explaining why she deserved a second term.#####I want to thank you for listening to me, talking to me, and sharing with me your concerns and priorities in this important election. I’ve always treasured the daily work of democracy, measured by my advocacy, diligence
Absentee Ballot Counts
One of our informants forwarded the following absentee ballot counts by legislative district. These counts have implications for a number of close races.Democratic Absentee Ballots, as of 10am this morning...D14: 636 requested -- 320 returned so farD15: 692 requested -- 312 returned so farD16: 1735 requested -- 868 returned so farD17: 814 requested -- 461 returned so farD18: 1266 requested --
How Leisure World Voted
One of our spies reported the following vote totals from the two precincts in Leisure World, which together are the largest single location of votes in the county.Senate 19Lenett – 844Manno – 619House 19Kramer – 1,201Arora – 821Cullison – 722Hutchins – 531Dang – 368Scretchen – 179Council At-LargeLeventhal – 863Trachtenberg – 839Floreen – 811Elrich – 762Riemer – 585Wagner – 557de Winter – 282Evans
MPW Classic: A Winner Has Many Parents and a Loser is an Orphan
Back in November 2007, veteran MoCo political activist Kevin Gillogly wrote this post in the wake of the Rockville Mayor's race about election winners and losers. It remains an all-time classic on MPW and has direct relevance for yesterday's results. Here's an excerpt.#####Dear Readers, I have been involved in the recently completed Rockville Municipal election and my candidate, Drew Powell,
Mike Lenett's Concession Statement
Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) sent out the following email to his supporters congratulating challenger Roger Manno on his victory.Thank YouDear [Voter], Ever since I was a child, all I've ever wanted was to have a close family and make people's lives better. I may have stumbled in my political career, but I've got the most wonderful family any man could hope for and I will find other ways to make a
Equality Maryland Releases 2010 Primary Analysis
Equality Maryland has released the following analysis of the performance of its endorsed candidates in the 2010 primary. We have to compliment Executive Director Morgan Meneses-Sheets for her speed in getting this out!Equality Maryland: 2010 Primary Analysis (initial findings)AT PRINT TIME, 100% OF THE PRECINCTS HAD NOT REPORTED IN ALL OF THE RACES AND SOME MAY BE CONTESTED.Equality Maryland:
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Early Morning Analysis: Winners and Losers
Our early morning winners and losers analysis. It's a rough cut but here you go:Winners:1. Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA)Love them or hate them, MCEA did well tonight in key races. Former President Bonnie Cullison is headed for a second place finish in District 19's delegate race. Teacher Eric Luedtke is winning the third delegate seat in District 14 even though he was not on
We’re Calling Them! (Two Updates)
With nearly three-quarters of the county’s precincts (175) plus early votes in, we are calling most of the primaries. The winners are:D14 House: Kaiser, Zucker, LuedtkeD15 House: Feldman, Dumais, MillerD16 House: Frick, LeeD17 House: Barve, Gilchrist, SimmonsD18 Senate: MadalenoD18 House: Carr, Gutierrez, WaldstreicherD19 Senate: MannoD19 House: Kramer, Cullison, AroraD20 House: Hixson, Hucker,
Sixth Precinct Results
One hundred fifty seven reporting precincts out of 243 by race.D14 Senate 22 precinctsMontgomery: 2,648Kramer: 2,543D14 House22 precinctsKaiser: 3,406Zucker: 3,345Luedtke: 2,017Finkelstein: 1,630Newsome: 1,498D15 House24 precinctsDumais: 2,769Feldman: 2,765Miller: 2,115Fraser-Hidalgo: 777Wibeto: 551D16 House25 precinctsFrick: 4,936Lee: 4,935Kelly: 2,839Lierman: 2,511Jamgochian: 1,851Winston:
Fifth Precinct Results
One hundred forty eight reporting precincts out of 243 by race.D14 Senate 20 precinctsMontgomery: 2,490Kramer: 2,402D14 House20 precinctsKaiser: 3,219Zucker: 3,171Luedtke: 1,919Finkelstein: 1,531Newsome: 1,424D15 House22 precinctsFeldman: 2,592Dumais: 2,588Miller: 1,977Fraser-Hidalgo: 702Wibeto: 508D16 House25 precinctsLee: 4,492Frick: 4,478Kelly: 2,590Lierman: 2,263Jamgochian: 1,691Winston:
Fourth Precinct Results
One hundred twenty eight reporting precincts out of 243 by race.D14 Senate 18 precinctsMontgomery: 2,270Kramer: 2,177D14 House18 precinctsKaiser: 2,954Zucker: 2,882Luedtke: 1,768Finkelstein: 1,398Newsome: 1,331D15 House19 precinctsFeldman: 2,278Dumais: 2,258Miller: 1,734Fraser-Hidalgo: 607Wibeto: 432D16 House19 precinctsLee: 3,336Frick: 3,316Kelly: 1,937Lierman: 1,706Jamgochian: 1,251Winston:
Third Precinct Results
One hundred eight reporting precincts out of 243 by race.D14 Senate 17 precinctsMontgomery: 1,808Kramer: 1,757D14 House17 precinctsKaiser: 2,381Zucker: 2,295Luedtke: 1,412Finkelstein: 1,134Newsome: 1,080D15 House18 precinctsFeldman: 1,993Dumais: 1,964Miller: 1,512Fraser-Hidalgo: 517Wibeto: 375D16 House14 precinctsLee: 2,392Frick: 2,330Kelly: 1,390Lierman: 1,230Jamgochian: 879Winston: 617D17
Second Precinct Results
Eighty reporting precincts out of 243 by race.D14 Senate 13 precinctsMontgomery: 1,172Kramer: 1,149D14 House13 precinctsKaiser: 1,543Zucker: 1,469Luedtke: 918Finkelstein: 722Newsome: 703D15 HouseFeldman: 1,499Dumais: 1,444Miller: 1,119Fraser-Hidalgo: 396Wibeto: 292D16 HouseLee: 2,330Frick: 2,267Kelly: 1,354Lierman: 1,196Jamgochian: 857Winston: 602D17 Senate15 precinctsForehand: 1,316Kagan:
First Precinct Results
First 55 reporting precincts out of 243 by race.D14 Senate 10 precinctsMontgomery: 924Kramer: 918D14 House10 precinctsKaiser: 1,227Zucker: 1,159Luedtke: 751Finkelstein: 574Newsome: 532D15 HouseFeldman: 1,211Dumais: 1,170Miller: 900Fraser-Hidalgo: 317Wibeto: 244D16 HouseLee: 1,750Frick: 1,691Kelly: 1,000Lierman: 847Jamgochian: 657Winston: 455D17 Senate13 precinctsForehand: 1099Kagan: 957D18
Interpreting the Early Votes
Right now, MoCo political junkies are eagerly scanning the early voting results. But they should beware because they are probably skewed in important ways.The early voting totals, which will probably wind up being 5-10% of the total vote (if that), are distinct from election day voting in the following ways.1. They are driven by geography.MoCo had five early voting centers: Bauer Drive Rec
Early Vote Results
The MoCo Board of Elections has just posted its early voting results. We anticipate that early votes will comprise somewhere between 5% and 10% of total votes. The results are here, but here's a quick breakdown for key primaries.D14 SenateMontgomery: 453Kramer: 423D14 HouseKaiser: 600Zucker: 544Luedtke: 392Finkelstein: 277Newsome: 249D15 HouseDumais: 433Feldman: 432Miller: 356Fraser-Hidalgo:
Turnout Update
MCDCC just sent us a spreadsheet with 3 PM turnout numbers for 197 precincts. 35,311 Democrats voted in those precincts, which projects out to 43,556 Dems for all 243 precincts. 94,351 Democratic voters cast ballots on primary day in 2006. In addition, 6,087 Democratic early votes have been cast in MoCo. Those results are becoming available now.
Pictures of Senate 39
We were wise to pick the District 39 Senate race between incumbent Nancy King and challenger Saqib Ali as the number one primary to watch in the county. This contest has not disappointed us one bit! Here are the best photos of the politicking going on up there from the two candidates' Facebook pages.Nancy cuts the ribbon at her campaign headquarters opening with Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15) and
Turnout is LOW LOW
Guess what? Turnout is low, low, LOW. Surprise, surprise!MCDCC has released a list of turnout counts for 183 precincts as of 3 PM. Those precincts together reported 33,380 Democratic votes so far. That projects to about 44,000 votes for all 243 precincts. There were 94,351 Democratic votes on primary day, 2006.Now 6,087 Democratic early votes have been cast in MoCo, so the combined total was
What the MSM is Missing
These are MPW's daily site visit and page view counts from July 1 through September 13. This is what the mainstream media is missing because of its decision not to pay attention to our county.
Special Spy Report: Council At-Large
The County Council At-Large race may be the most unpredictable primary in the county. Over and over again, we have consulted our spy network for insights into how it will play out. But this time we are checking in with a truly special group of informants:State legislative candidates.Why are we asking them, do you ask?First, perhaps even more than the council candidates, the folks running for
Bonnie Cullison's Endorsement Mailer
We're still amazed that Bonnie was endorsed by the openly anti-union Washington Post, but perhaps they read this 2008 blog post in which our spies voted for her as one of MoCo's most influential people.
Turnout is LOW
An extremely preliminary count released by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) suggests that turnout is low today. Very, VERY low.MCDCC has collected turnout counts as of 10 AM on their website for 182 of the county’s 243 precincts. Those 182 precincts saw 12,267 Democratic voters. That projects out to between 16,000 and 17,000 voters for the morning if these precincts
Ballots, Ballots Everywhere
MCEA is the acknowledged master of precinct day ballot handouts with its famous Apple Ballot, but now several other groups are getting into the act today. Will it mean anything?We have heard that six groups will be distributing ballots listing their endorsed candidates today: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35, SEIU Local 500, Casa in Action, the Volunteer Fire Fighters, the Sierra Club and
Top Blog Posts, September 1 Through September 13
This month, MPW is on pace to receive at least 70,000 site visits and perhaps 200,000 page views, both runaway records in the history of this site. About a fifth of our traffic comes from search engine links, so when voters search for candidates online, they come here because information on them often does not exist anywhere else. When they have arrived over the last two weeks, here are the
The Meanest MoCo Primary of All Time, Part Two
Montgomery County is a special place. Its enlightened voters and their leaders are dedicated social progressives who work in harmony to promote justice and change. By standing together against reactionary elements, Montgomery County serves as a model for other liberal communities and is leading the way to a better future for all.Yeah, riiight!Deprived of competition from the GOP and, for the
MPW’s Endorsements
It’s time to make an announcement that’s long overdue: MPW’s endorsements. By the power vested in us by the Internet and Blogger.com, we urge our readers to support these candidates:Anybody you want.It has become quite the fad for bloggers to make endorsements. The very concept is ridiculous. Advocacy groups should make endorsements because they have members and policy agendas and many people
Monday, September 13, 2010
Buy Kyle Lierman a Watch
This is just a brutal Google ad purchased by House 16 candidate Ariana Kelly targeting Google searches on her rival, Kyle Lierman.
Len Teitelbaum: Lenett Exploits Holocaust for Political Gain
Former District 19 Senator Len Teitelbaum sent out this email tonight in response to Senator Mike Lenett's Holocaust mailer.Lenett Exploits Holocaust for Political Gain In his latest desperate attempt to take advantage of what he perceives to be any issue, Lenett exploits the Hungarian gold train incident and claims to have recovered $25 Million for Holocaust survivors. This is an issue that been
Decision Time in District 19
By Mike Hersh.As Americans memorialized September 11th, many politicians neatly separate into two categories. Those who call for acceptance and cooperation, and those who exploit fear, mistrust and prejudice. In the District 19 Senate contest, Roger Manno is running a positive, issues-based campaign saying"leadership takes teamwork." Sadly, Mike Lenett is running a dirty campaign unprecedented in
Mike Lenett's Holocaust Mailer
Upon seeing this mailer, a District resident immediately emailed us the following opinion:I am Jewish. I was born out of the ashes of the Holocaust -- both of my parents are concentration camp survivors. I have not taken any public position on this race, but I am shocked and appalled that Mike Lenett would actually use Holocaust images for political purposes. Though now I understand why he
Hopkins Contrast Mailer Misleads on Ambulance Fee
Council District 1 challenger Ilaya Hopkins has released this contrast mailer asserting that incumbent Roger Berliner supported the ambulance fee “as part of 2010 budget.” That’s true, but it’s also misleading.Berliner has voted twice against the ambulance fee in full council session – once in 2009 and again in 2010. Berliner did vote for the most recent county budget that included the
MPW Reader Polls: What is the Most Critical Factor for Success in a Campaign?
Note that there are two different polls: one for district races and another for at-large races. We understand that this is a tough question on which very intelligent people can disagree, and that's why we are asking you!
More From MCEA (Two Updates)
This kind of mailer is why so many of MCEA's endorsed candidates are mad at them. The title of this mailer, which arrived in District 19 on Saturday, is "See Who Teachers Have Recommended." But it is only a partial list of their recommendations which includes just the candidates who have paid to be in the mailer. Becky Wagner is the only at-large candidate to appear, potentially leading
A Message from Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum, Roger's Mother
Roger Manno's campaign has sent out this email from his mother, Bea Scheinbaum, addressing the material on Senator Mike Lenett's nuke website.A message from Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum, Roger's Mother Over the last few weeks, I've followed with profound disbelief the desperate and ruthless lies and innuendos Mike Lenett has made about my son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Marjorie Manno. I can only
Hypocrisy NOW
Here’s a joint mailer by then-County Council challenger Duchy Trachtenberg and County Executive candidate Ike Leggett in 2006. The entire point of the mailer was to emphasize their endorsement by the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Trachtenberg’s leadership of their Maryland chapter. Note the strong statement of support from then-national NOW President Kim Gandy.Trachtenberg’s NOW
Kelly Takes a Risk
The conventional wisdom in round-robin races is that candidates should not go after rivals because that creates opportunities for third parties to go up the middle and win. But District 16 House candidate Ariana Kelly has rolled the dice with this bold new contrast mailer.Kelly is now saying through the mail what she has said online twice: she believes she is better qualified to go to Annapolis
Roger Manno: This is Who I Am
This is a beautiful response to Senator Mike Lenett's nuke website. If Manno winds up winning a squeaker, this mailer could be part of the reason why.
Ali Releases Canvass Counts
Senator Nancy King’s campaign manager sent out an email claiming momentum for the incumbent, but challenger Saqib Ali has done better: he has released his actual door knock and phone call counts through Saturday. That data shows a VERY busy campaign.Here are Ali’s door knocks as recorded in MDVAN, the party-supplied voter contact database that most Democratic candidates use.Knocks Not Home:
Craig Rice: Royce Hanson's Getting Desperate
Council District 2 candidate Craig Rice sent out the following email about rival Royce Hanson yesterday.Royce Hanson's getting desperate...Dear Friends, There are only 2 days until the primary election and one of my opponents is getting desperate. He's sent out 3 mailers trying to frame me as "mortgaging my campaign to special interests" while touting the majority of his contributions come from
Ethics Complaint Filed Against Marc Elrich
Crisfield Seafood restaurant co-owner John R. Landis has filed an ethics complaint against Council Member Marc Elrich over his aid to a lawsuit against Montgomery County's Fillmore project. Landis cites provisions of the Ethics Code forbidding county officials from assisting lawsuits against the county government. The Examiner reported that Elrich's actions sparked an investigation by the
Campaign Finance Fun Facts
Here’s a few tidbits from the immense State Board of Elections campaign finance database!1. Marc Elrich has long disavowed development industry contributions and Duchy Trachtenberg told Progressive Neighbors that she was also turning them away. But Elrich took $3,000 from the Maryland Realtors PAC on 8/13/10 and Trachtenberg took $3,000 from them on the same day. Aren’t realtors part of the
How the Post Covers MoCo Politics
Politicians show up at Takoma Park Folk Festival to eat chickpeas: Covered.Potential scandal erupts involving office holder endorsed by the Post: Not Covered.Bandit steals campaign signs: Covered.Council Member assists lawsuit against the county, accused of breaking ethics law: Not Covered.Saqib Ali is a Muslim: Covered.Saqib Ali’s campaign platform: Not Covered.Eleven Dwarfs battle it out in
East County Apple Mailer
This mailer was produced not by MCEA, but by Council Members Nancy Navarro and Valerie Ervin and at-large candidate Hans Riemer, all of whom have endorsed each other and all of whom are on the Apple Ballot.
A Personal Perspective on the District 17 Senate Race
By Sima Osdoby.It is no secret that I am supporting Cheryl Kagan in the District 17 Senate race, since my husband and I hosted her kick off fundraiser.I have a long history with both Cheryl Kagan and Jennie Forehand and consider both of them friends. I respect Jennie and appreciate her 32-years of service, but believe strongly that the focused and activist leadership that Cheryl offers is very
Floreen TV
As far as we know, Nancy Floreen is the only Council At-Large candidate on TV. This ad is being shown on Comcast on a variety of cable networks.
The Meanest MoCo Primary of All Time, Part One
Montgomery County’s political community is much more diverse than it appears to be from the outside. While nearly all political players here are Democrats, they often disagree on issues of development, budget, transportation and the appropriate pace of change. But one thing almost every one of them will say today is that this election has been the Meanest MoCo Primary of All Time.We do not come
Oscar Ramirez's Central Committee Letter, District 17
My name is Oscar Ramirez and I am running for Central Committee in District 17. When you step into the voting booth on Tuesday, you'll probably want to have two questions answered. Let me try to answer those for you.Who am I? I was born in Lima, Peru and grew up in the Baltimore area (my family moved to Maryland when I was two years old). I attended Johns Hopkins. I have mostly lived in Silver
Hank Heller Praises Hoan Dang
In these remarks on August 31, outgoing long-time District 19 Delegate Hank Heller says that Hoan Dang is the House candidate most like him. How curious that he did not give that designation to Bonnie Cullison, who like Heller is a former MCEA President.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Exum Hits Back at SEIU
Senator Nathaniel Exum (D-24) has released a video condemning the negative mail sent against him by SEIU. Ironically, his defender is none other than former Senator Tommie Broadwater, who was sent to prison for food stamp fraud. Un-bah-lievable.
Doug Duncan Denounces Lenett, Endorses Manno
Former County Executive Doug Duncan has intervened in the District 19 Senate race, endorsing challenger Roger Manno and blasting Senator Mike Lenett. Following is the statement from Manno's campaign.For Immediate Release Contact: 301-598-4063Former County Executive Doug Duncan Denounces Lenett Attacks - Endorses Manno for State SenateSilver Spring -
Duchy Trachtenberg's Washington Post Flyer
Two things struck us about this flyer from Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg trumpeting her endorsement by the Washington Post.First, the quote from the Post is rather selective. The flyer says:In the at-large group, we favor three incumbents running for reelection - Duchy Trachtenberg... Ms.Trachtenberg... distinguished herself as the first of the at-large council members to sound the alarm on
SEIU's Mailer for Karen Montgomery
SEIU may hate Prince George's Senator Nathaniel Exum, but they like District 14 Senate challenger Karen Montgomery. Here's an independent mailer that SEIU Local 1199 sent on her behalf.
Hunk Tackles the Lobbyists
Yeah, we know it's cheesy, but isn't this better than the nuclear destruction of the District 19 Senate race? And besides - these guys are wearing COWBOYS uniforms!!
Len Teitelbaum: The Race for My Old Senate Seat
Former District 19 Senator Len Teitelbaum, who is supporting challenger Roger Manno against incumbent Mike Lenett, sent out this mass email last night.From: len@senatorteitelbaum.comDate: Sat, Sep 11, 2010 at 8:49 PMSubject: Race for My Old Senate SeatTo: Dear Friend:Now that all the brochures have been sent, and primary day approaches, I am attempting in a concise way to answer the question that
SEIU Protests Misleading Puca Mailer
District 39 House candidate Tony Puca has an impressive roster of logos on his mailer. The problem is that he is listing them as "present and past endorsements," and almost all of them were made in the past, if ever.SEIU Local 500 Executive Director Dave Rodich had this comment:Tony Puca’s latest campaign piece appears intended to deliberately mislead voters in District 39 into believing that he
MPW on the Radio: Social Media in Politics
Your author was on Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast and WYPR's Fraser Smith on Friday to discuss social media's impact on local politics. If you're interested, you can listen in here.
More Chester TV
Here are two fifteen-second television spots by District 16 House candidate Charlie Chester.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
SEIU's Seventh Anti-Exum Mailer
Along with the seventh(!) neg targeting Exum is a favorable mailer supporting his challenger, Joanne Benson.
Nancy King's Campaign Claims Momentum
Nancy King's campaign manager, Amy Yockus Hartman, sent out the following email to supporters minutes ago.Dear Friends, With just about 60 hours until the polls open, our campaign has real momentum. Nancy earned support from Montgomery County's teachers and retired teachers, police officers, and fire fighters. She secured endorsements from leading progressive organizations, including NARAL
Sleepy Sossi
Red Maryland's Mark Newgent reports that Senator Nancy King's Sleepy Saqib strategy is being used in a Republican Delegate primary on the Eastern Shore. Challenger Steve Hershey included pictures of slumbering GOP Delegate Richard Sossi (R-36) in this mailer, which Newgent originally printed.It's just not safe to sleep in public anymore!
Mike Lenett's Facts
Senator Mike Lenett's mailer, "Working Together for Real Leadership and Real Results," contains a fact page on himself and his opponent, Delegate Roger Manno. Lenett's fact recitation reads:While Mike’s opponent, Roger Manno, and those who opposed Mike’s run in 2006 are hoping to distract you from the issues and Mike’s record, here are the facts:Fact #1: Mike has passed over 3 times as much
Unforced Error
Several sources report that Senator Jennie Forehand's campaign made a robocall on Rosh Hashanah! One spy says, "It was a vanilla message, but it came at 2 pm Thursday, just as Jewish families were sitting down to an important holiday meal after spending the morning in synagogue." Forehand should know better because she is a veteran of many elections. But... most of those elections did not have
MCEA Pushes Back Against Anti-Berliner Mailer from Hopkins
Council District 1 challenger Ilaya Hopkins has sent out this negative mailer against incumbent Roger Berliner.The mailer quotes MCEA political strategist Jon Gerson as saying of Berliner, "...we wish Mr. Berliner had been a stronger voice for our schools and students." Gerson's full quote from the 8/13/09 Potomac Almanac article sourced by the mailer was, "There have been times we wish Mr.
Post Shortchanges MoCo and Prince George's Readers on Election Coverage
This is a great column by Andrew Alexander, the Post's ombudsman. Every single candidate and political junkie in MoCo knows he's right.
Ana Sol Gutierrez's Jobs Mailer
Kudos to Ana for getting Janet Yu, owner of Wheaton's popular Hollywood East restaurant, to appear in her mailer!
Friday, September 10, 2010
MoCo Business PAC Releases Full Endorsement List
The Montgomery County Business PAC has now released its full endorsement list. We printed their early endorsements last month. Their current list is shown below.
Chester TV
District 16 House candidate Charlie Chester is the only MoCo candidate we know of who has been running television ads. Here is a 30-second spot that has run on MSNBC.
Hans Riemer: Working Together To Support High Quality Schools
Following is a policy piece released by at-large candidate Hans Riemer's campaign on public schools.#####Montgomery County is in the midst of an ongoing fiscal crisis. Teacher pay has been cut along with school services that parents have come to rely on. As we move forward, we must work to keep cuts out of the classroom. We cannot take our educational progress for granted, and we must be mindful
Montgomery Responds to Kramer's Negative Mail
District 14 Senate challenger Karen Montgomery has sent the following email to supporters in response to Senator Rona Kramer's mail about her failure to attend the 2006 and 2007 special sessions. The email contains a video from a supporter as a response to the negative mail. There's just one problem: neither the email nor the video responds in any way to the absence issue cited in Kramer's mail
Saqib Ali Responds to State Teachers
District 39 Senate challenger Saqib Ali has submitted the following comment on the mailer sent by the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) criticizing his record.#####I was a bit surprised to find this mailer in my mailbox. I had been told repeatedly by representatives of the MCEA that the "teachers don't go negative." I guess that rule may have changed.In any case, what is further
Hopkins Zaps Berliner on Electricity
Man, we don't want to touch this one with a ten-foot pole, or else... BRRZZZZT!!!
State Teachers Attack Saqib Ali
The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) has authorized the following District 39 mailer praising Senator Nancy King, one of its endorsees, and attacking challenger Saqib Ali.The teachers are justified in endorsing King. She is a former two-term School Board Member, occupies a critical seat on the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and has almost always supported them. (Her 2008
How to Blow Up a Mailbox
Here's the mailer that Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) is sending out as a complement to his nuclear attack site on challenger Roger Manno.
Free Advice for Politicians
Today, we are offering free advice to our favorite people: the politicians.1. Here’s a big secret: some politicians are obsessed with themselves and their campaigns. Yes, we hate to break it to you, but it’s true. Some of them are REALLY obsessed with their coverage. They and/or their supporters will call and say that we are not being objective. Well, guess what – this is a BLOG. We are
The Elected Officials You Never Knew
Quick, name these people:Ralph JaffeWilliam Henry CampbellEddie VendettiWhy, they are the current Governor, Comptroller and U.S. Senator from Maryland.OK, now name these people:Raj NarayananRobert DyerMark FennelBrandon RippeonRobin Nixon UncapherRob VricellaCharles KirchmanDavid HornerJoseph RussekWhy, they are the current Montgomery County Council.No, you say? Confused? Well, of course we’re
Forehand Responds to Kagan on Tobacco Vote
Senator Jennie Forehand's campaign manager sent us the following statement in response to challenger Cheryl Kagan's criticism of Forehand's mailer on tobacco.FOREHAND RESPONSE TO CANDIDATE KAGANSo, let's see if we have this right. Kagan was RIGHT to vote with Republicans, pro-tobacco Conservative Democrats and the tobacco industry? And the rest of the Montgomery County Delegation (including the
Police Call for Investigation of Duchy Trachtenberg (Updated)
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 has called on the Maryland Attorney General, the State’s Attorney of Montgomery County and the U.S. Attorney for Maryland to investigate Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg’s conduct as Treasurer of Maryland NOW. Following is their letter, as well as a few attachments.September 9,2010Douglas GanslerAttorney GeneralOffice of the Attorney General200 St. Paul
You Can’t Make This Up
We promise to someday drop the “Light Saqib, Dark Saqib” story, but it just won’t die. That’s because it was resurrected this morning in the Washington Post by none other than… Senator Nancy King.When asked by the Huffington Post and WAMU about Dark Saqib, King’s campaign manager, Amy Yockus Hartman, said this:First off, at no time, in any way whatsoever, did we, or would we, alter photos or
Why Incumbents Lose, Part Five
Most incumbents lose because of themselves, but a few have the bad luck to face great challengers. Let’s look at the upstarts more closely.Every challenger thinks he or she is top-notch, but very few of them are. We define a great challenger as having the following four qualities.1. Well-financedA challenger may not have more money than an incumbent, but a successful one needs enough to
Strolling with Sam
This here is a collector's item, folks: an autographed copy of Sam "Hunk of the Hill" Arora's walk piece. If you're lucky, Sam will give you one of your very own!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Sleepy Saqib Strikes Again
You have to give Senator Nancy King (D-39) credit for picking a message and sticking with it.
Tobacco Tussle
Senator Jennie Forehand (D-17) is hitting challenger Cheryl Kagan for allegedly being in the pocket of Big Tobacco and Kagan is burning over it. Take a deep breath, folks, and read on!Here’s Forehand’s negative mailer on tobacco.And here’s Kagan’s response.PRESS ADVISORYFor more information, contact:Will Rice at will@cherylkagan.orgFOREHAND DISTORTS KAGAN RECORD AGAIN; STILL WON’T REVEAL SOURCES
Duchy Doesn’t Want Union Support… Except When She Does
In a moment of high drama, Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg threw down the gauntlet against MoCo’s seething mob of public employee union thugs. Everyone knows that the evil, cigar-chomping union bosses are running this county into the ground with their endless greed. And so the courageous Council Member Trachtenberg told them what no other at-large candidate has: I will not take your money, I
Campaign Finance Reports, Pre-Primary 2
On September 3, all campaign finance reports for the period of 8/10 through 8/29 were due. These are the last reports available before the primary. Here’s a quick roundup by race.County CouncilIn District 1, challenger Ilaya Hopkins was not that badly outclassed by incumbent Roger Berliner. Hopkins had $79,986 in receipts for the year, while Berliner had a combined $135,553 in starting cash
MCEA Mails, Politicians Wail
MCEA’s political program started going into high gear last week. Some politicians like it, others hate it, but everybody is talking about it. And of course, that means MPW is talking about it too! (Would you expect anything less?)MCEA is best-known for its Apple Ballot, a poll piece mailed to Democratic voters and distributed by MCEA members at the polls. The Apple Ballot prompted us to call
Becky Wagner: Incumbency is Not Tenure
County Council At-Large candidate Becky Wagner is once again spanking the incumbents and their mutual non-aggression pact. Following is her email to supporters.Incumbency is not tenure!Dear friends and neighbors,Over the course of this campaign, the incumbent members of the Montgomery County Council have done everything they can to gloss over and make us forget the lack of civility and
Mike Lenett: You Deserve the Truth
Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) sent out the following mass email yesterday in response to challenger Roger Manno's criticism of his negative website.You Deserve The TruthSeptember 8, 2010Dear [Voter], I am sure that most of you hate it when one candidate says negative things about another. I hate it too. But friends, I have to tell you the truth about Roger Manno because -- for four years -- he has
Do You Believe Your Own Eyes? (Updated)
Our “Light Saqib, Dark Saqib” story has now been covered by both the Huffington Post and WAMU. Nancy King’s campaign manager, Amy Yockus Hartman, sent both outlets this statement:First off, at no time, in any way whatsoever, did we, or would we, alter photos or attempt to insinuate anything about Delegate Saqib Ali other than the verified facts we have consistently laid out through this campaign
Why Incumbents Lose, Part Four
Get ready for some fun. Here’s a great category of losing incumbents:Incumbents with EnemiesEver wonder why so many politicians are so bland? It’s because they’re being smart. Politicians with big mouths get lots of enemies, and at least a couple knives are bound to hit the mark.Republican District 39 Delegates Barrie Ciliberti and Mathew Mossburg, Defeated by Democrats Charles Barkley, Paul
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Lenett: Manno Lying About Ethics... Again
Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) is accusing challenger Roger Manno of using a statement by the General Assembly's Ethics Counsel to "cover up" his filing of "false financial reports" with the State Ethics Commission. Following is Lenett's press release.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 8, 2010ETHICS COUNSEL CONFIRMS MANNO’S FALSE FILINGSManno’s Misuse of “Advice” Aimed to Continue His Cover-UpDear
George Leventhal on Illegal Signs
At-Large County Council Member George Leventhal, who is running for reelection, sent us the following statement concerning illegal campaign signs.Dear Adam, Earlier this year, my campaign made the judgment that we would not place signs illegally in the public right-of-way or on property where we did not have permission. There have been a few occasions, such as along parade routes, where we
Gun Nuts for Manno (Updated)
Here is a copy of the mailer that pro-gun activists are sending out urging people to vote for District 19 Senate challenger Roger Manno. Don't they understand that this only helps Senator Mike Lenett?Update: Roger Manno sent us this response.This endorsement would be laughable if this issue weren't so serious. So let me be perfectly clear: I absolutely reject this endorsement, or any other
Ethics Counsel Comments on Manno's Wife
District 19 Senate challenger Roger Manno's campaign has forwarded us the following statement from William G. Somerville, Ethics Counsel to the General Assembly, on the allegations made by Senator Mike Lenett concerning Manno's disclosure of certain facts related to his wife.Delegate Manno's wife's employment was appropriately disclosed to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, in a timely
Rona Rips Karen
We predicted this. Perhaps Senator Rona Kramer (D-14) was getting jealous of all the attention that Senators Mike Lenett and Nancy King, and challengers Roger Manno and Saqib Ali, are receiving?
On the School Board Races
By Laura Berthiaume.I am not up for election in 2010. Thank goodness. I did not have to campaign in over 50 plus days of 90 degree plus heat, my summer was largely my own, and I can put everything that goes with thinking about running for office into my “decisions to be made next summer” box. Still, I have been following this year’s political races closely, the school board races most closely
Vote for Manno… or Else!
Senator Mike Lenett is implying that these guys want you to vote for his challenger, Roger Manno.Really?Lenett has sent out three mailers about the fact that Tripwire, a pro-gun publication, has called on its readers to defeat him. Tripwire said:District 19 (Montgomery County) Gun owners have one long-shot opportunity to help the Cause. It is in the Dem Senate primary, where Roger Manno
Google Picks Up MCRG/Duchy NOW Story
One thing about the Internet is that it moves FAST. Our report on Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government's (MCRG) allegations about Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg's mishandling of money at Maryland NOW is only a few hours old, but it is already fifth on Trachtenberg's first Google search page.Now is the time that likely voters are paying attention and making up their minds on how they
Why Incumbents Lose, Part Three
What explains the handful of incumbent losses in Montgomery County since 1994? Here’s another reason that applies to some races.Lazy IncumbentsNow we know that Annapolis is a great place to sit back and gain weight, but incumbents should not get fat and happy in their districts. Otherwise, they might wind up like these former officeholders.Democratic Senator Larry Levitan (D-15), Defeated in
At-Large Forum on MMC Channel 16
The At-Large County Council Forum held on September 2nd at the 4H Center in Chevy Chase can be seen on Montgomery Municipal Cable (Channel 16) at the following dates and times: Wednesday (9/8) at 9pmFriday (9/10) at 6pmSaturday (9/11) at 6pm Sunday (9/12) at 6pm
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
MCRG Claims Duchy Trachtenberg Misused NOW Money
Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government (MCRG), the organization that fought Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg's transgender anti-discrimination bill, has released a set of serious allegations concerning Trachtenberg's tenure as Treasurer of Maryland NOW. Following is their press release.Media Contact:Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government301-335-6042www.NotMyShower.comCRGmaryland
I Am Roger Manno and This is My Story
District 19 Senate challenger Roger Manno has released this essay to respond to Senator Mike Lenett's attack website.I AM ROGER MANNO AND THIS IS MY STORY I was born in California in 1966 during a turbulent period of war in Vietnam and the civil rights movement. My dad, John Manno, was a sculptor and carpenter. My mom, Beatrice Scheinbaum, was a student studying for her doctorate in psychology.
Manno, Supporters Respond to Lenett Nuke Site
District 19 Senate challenger Roger Manno and some of his most prominent supporters have issued the following response to Senator Mike Lenett's nuclear attack website.For Immediate ReleaseContact: 301-598-4063 MANNO RESPONDS TO MIKE LENETT'S DIVISIVE AND DECEITFUL CAMPAIGN ATTACKS Silver Spring - Today, Roger Manno issued a response to the divisive and deceitful campaign attacks launched by Mike
Kagan Calls on Forehand to Reveal Hidden Contributions
District 17 challenger Cheryl Kagan is calling on Senator Jennie Forehand to disclose the identity of all of her campaign contributors, a practice that Forehand has not always followed in the past. Kagan's challenge is based on our research last November, in which we found that Forehand was the biggest user of "lump sums" - a campaign finance reporting technique used to avoid disclosing donors -
Light Saqib, Dark Saqib
Campaign consultants love to get creative with mailers. That’s why they’re paid! And sometimes they use Photoshop to make their point. But when an image of a light-skinned candidate is altered to look like a dark-skinned person, does that cross the line? That question is now being asked about Senator Nancy King’s most recent negative mailer targeting her challenger, Saqib Ali.Check out the
Royce Roasts Rice
To be fair, former Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson has a lot to say in this mailer other than just tweaking fellow Council District 2 candidate Craig Rice over his campaign contributions. But can you really blame us for coming up with a blog post title that NOBODY can repeat ten times in a row?
Nuclear War in District 19
Roger Manno was warned about what would happen if he ran against Mike Lenett. In November, we wrote:In 2006, Lenett helped drive long-time Senator Len Teitelbaum from his seat and knocked off two Delegates in the Senate race, producing a possible MoCo record for incumbent removal in one contest. He is smart, tough and well-financed. He also employs David Goodman, a notably aggressive campaign
Why Incumbents Lose, Part Two
Incumbents don’t go down very often, but they do go down. Of the last 126 races in which an incumbent ran in Montgomery County, 17 lost. Why do they lose their seats? We took a shot at answering that question, aided by some of our shrewdest and trustiest spies.Partisan RacesAs recently as the 1990s, the GOP was a viable minority party in Montgomery County. They tended to be concentrated in
Monday, September 6, 2010
Katie Frick's Recyling Song
Delegate Bill Frick's daughter has launched a one-Fricklet campaign to promote recycling. This can't fail, folks!
Hans Riemer: Uniting Montgomery County for Improved Public Transportation
Following is a policy piece on transit released by council at-large candidate Hans Riemer's campaign.#####Hans Riemer has focused his community involvement on supporting public transportation in Montgomery County. As vice-president of the Action Committee for Transit, Hans has fought to protect Metro funding, RideOn buses, and to build the Purple Line and Corridor Cities Transitway.Hans will
Sleazy Saqib
This is Senator Nancy King's sixth(!) negative mailer in nine days. At least this time, Sleepy Saqib is replaced by Sleazy Saqib. Hey, isn't Sleazy one of the Seven Dwarfs?
Endorsements - Final Update
Here's a round-up of the endorsements from fourteen of the more influential groups in Montgomery County.Some of these endorsements are more important than others. For example, most observers consider support from MCEA and the Post as being the two most important endorsements in the county. But all of these have some merit with at least one segment of the population.Here's a count by
Wagner Whacks the Council
Here’s something we have not seen in twelve years: an at-large council challenger has gone negative against the entire County Council. William O’Neil tried this in 1998 and finished eighth out of eight, but Becky Wagner, who authored the piece below, is a FAR more formidable candidate. And who can blame Wagner for lumping all the incumbents together since they lumped themselves together when
Top Blog Posts, August 2010
Here are the most-viewed blog posts on MPW in August 2010, which was our record month.1. Big Daddy Smokes Saqib Ali2. Nancy King Launches Attack Site on Saqib Ali3. The Most Devastating Attack Mailers in MoCo4. The Classiest Race in MoCo5. Endorsements 2010 – First Update6. Big Daddy’s New Slate7. Police, Fire Fighters Picket Trachtenberg Again8. Vote Team Ehrlich, Speak English9. Cheryl
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