Inspector General Investigating Clarksburg - Again

Vote for Question A Video

Brian Murphy on Bob Ehrlich

LCV Compares Ehrlich and O'Malley on the Environment

The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has released this video comparing the environmental records of Bob Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley.

McDonald's Owner: Want a Raise? Vote Republican

The Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Huffington Post are reporting that an Ohio McDonald's franchise owner enclosed the following flyer in employees' pay envelopes telling them that his ability to provide raises depends on them voting for "the right people." According to him, the "right people" are the GOP's candidates for Governor, Senate and the U.S. House. The McDonald's owner has since

Campos Goes After Simmons on Domestic Violence

Republican District 17 House candidate Dan Campos has sent out the mailer below going after Democratic Delegate Luiz Simmons on domestic violence. Simmons is running on that issue, but Campos reminds voters of his introduction of the abuser expungement bill and his vote against a bill that would have made it easier for abuse victims to get protective orders. These sorts of votes are a big

Vote for Question A Flyer

A coalition of elected officials, unions and other groups has launched a late challenge to the effort to repeal the ambulance fee (known as Question A). This flyer is one of the tools they are using to urge voters to preserve the fee in order to avoid budget cuts by voting for Question A next week.

What’s A Liberal? A Conservative? A Moderate? - The Chart

By Gus Bauman.In antediluvian times (pre-1980), Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives and moderates (yes, moderates were once prevalent in each political party) would work to govern together. It was called “bipartisanship.” It was how simple laws (like civil rights acts, Medicare, environmental statutes) got passed. It was how people were placed on the Supreme Court. It was

Valerie Ervin's General Election Mailer

Bob Ehrlich: The Anti-MoCo Candidate, Part Three

Bob Ehrlich depicts himself as a tax cutter. Isn’t that good for Montgomery County?It depends on which taxes you’re talking about.TaxesEhrlich has made criticism of Governor O’Malley’s 2007 special session tax package a centerpiece of his campaign. His primary tax proposal is to repeal the special session’s one-cent increase in the sales tax, which accounted for a majority of the tax package.

District 14 Democratic Team Lit Piece

The District 14 Democratic Team - Senate nominee Karen Montgomery, Delegate Anne Kaiser and Delegate nominees Eric Luedtke and Craig Zucker - is distributing this lit piece for the general election.

DED for the Ambulance Fee

County Executive Ike Leggett used the Department of Economic Development's (DED) email system to send the following message yesterday about Question A, the ballot question on the ambulance fee.e-AlertOctober 27, 2010Dear County Businessperson:Montgomery County is facing an important issue that could have an adverse impact on our businesses, so I wanted to take a moment to give you the facts.

Dan Campos's Walk Piece

Dan Campos is running as a Republican for a District 17 House seat.

What Do Marylanders Think of the Tea Party?

One of the more interesting questions asked in the recent Baltimore Sun poll was the opinion of respondents on the Tea Party. Here are the favorable and unfavorable ratings given by the poll’s 798 likely voters.These are the ratings by demographic group.And these are the ratings organized by net approval.We caution readers to take the results from subcategories with less than a couple hundred

Susan Turnbull and Audrey Scott Debate on Political Pulse

Susan Turnbull, the Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, and Audrey Scott, the Chair of the Maryland Republican Party, debate the Governor's race and other issues on "Political Pulse" on:Thurs, October 28th at 9:00 p.m.;andFri-Sunday, October 29th-31st, at 6 p.m.Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV in Montgomery County.

Bob Ehrlich: The Anti-MoCo Candidate, Part Two

In Part One, we showed how Bob Ehrlich’s positions on transportation and the Purple Line would damage Montgomery County. Today, we examine a different set of issues that are connected to another county priority: education.Teacher PensionsFor decades, the state government has administered and financed a pension fund for teachers and other local school employees for the purpose of attracting

Kumar Barve's Education Mailer

This is one of two general election mailers House Majority Leader Kumar Barve (D-17) is sending out this week.

Luiz Simmons Runs on Domestic Violence Issue

Delegate Luiz Simmons (D-17) has sent out the following general election mailer touting his credentials in fighting domestic violence. We find his issue choice ironic given his introduction of a bill to allow accused abusers to expunge their court records, his vote against another bill that would have made it easier to obtain protective orders from abusers and his conduct in a hearing with a

Leggett Speaks Out on Ambulance Fee Ballot Question

County Executive Ike Leggett sent out this message on the ambulance fee ballot question through the county government's email subscription service.October 28, 2010Dear County Resident:I want to inform you of an important issue facing the County that could have an adverse impact on every County resident. Many of you are aware that the November ballot will contain County Question A. The Question

Big Daddy’s Big Money (Updated)

Senate President Mike “Big Daddy” Miller is pouring big, BIG money into a handful of Senate contests. And so are his lieutenants. Let’s look at his slate account.The Maryland Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has received $836,750 in contributions this year through 10/17/10. Here are the contributors.Miller himself gave the slate more than half its money. Rob Garagiola, who tied

GOP Executive Candidate Blasts Post for Ignoring His Existence (Updated)

Republican County Executive candidate Doug Rosenfeld is blasting the Post for saying in its endorsement editorial that Democratic County Executive Ike Leggett is running unopposed. The Post has corrected the error online and promised, "An editorial on that contest will appear in the coming days." But Rosenfeld told WTOP, "I don't see how you recall an action like this because people will take

Bob Ehrlich: The Anti-MoCo Candidate, Part One

Recently, the Gazette noted how Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bob Ehrlich’s positions were “risking Montgomery County votes.” House Majority Leader Kumar Barve remarked, “I think [Ehrlich has] given up on Montgomery County… I think he’s looked at the numbers, and from a political standpoint giving up on Montgomery County is probably a smart move for him.”The article understates its point.

Roger Manno’s New Best Bud

September 7Senate President Mike “Big Daddy” Miller sends District 19 Senator Mike Lenett, whom he had endorsed over challenger Roger Manno, a check for $2,500. Lenett needed the money for his Gang-Bangers for Manno mailer, his Holocaust mailer and his nuke website.September 14Manno defeats Lenett by eight points.September 17Miller sends Manno a check for $4,000.Well, that was quick.

MoCo Primary 2010: Becky Wagner Precinct Results

By DistrictBy Local AreaBy Race/Ethnicity

School Board Candidates Squabble Over Illegal Flyer

District 3 Board of Education candidate Karen Smith is blasting At-Large Board of Education candidate Lisa Lloyd for distributing a flyer that misrepresents her positions. And because the flyer lacks an authority line, it’s illegal to boot!Here’s the flyer from Lloyd, which lists six campaign positions and urges voters to support her and three other candidates, one of whom is Smith.Note the lack

O’Malley Clobbering Ehrlich on TV

On Saturday, the Sun reported that Martin O’Malley had spent significantly more money than Bob Ehrlich on television ads. A close look at the campaign finance reports illustrates just how big O’Malley’s edge is.On the reports, TV buys are lumped into the “media” category, which can include radio, print and billboards. But you can tell the TV expenditures because of their sheer size and the

From Bad to Worse for Ehrlich

From Real Clear Politics:

Duchy Finishes with $146k in the Bank

Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg has reported $145,965.97 in cash on hand in her campaign account as of 10/17/10. No other council-at-large candidate reported having more than $8,000. This means that Trachtenberg left about half of her January warchest unspent during the campaign.Trachtenberg lost the fourth at-large spot in the primary to George Leventhal by just 3,981 votes. Since

Republican House Candidate Proposes Tattoos for HIV Victims

Republican House candidate Neil Parrott (2B) of Hagerstown once wrote the Herald-Mail proposing that HIV victims get tattoos marking their status. He even advocated that victims receive medicine only after getting the tattoos. Here's an excerpt from his letter to the editor:It is time to take the threat of HIV seriously. A compassionate and serious solution must preserve the dignity of those

MoCo Primary 2010: Duchy Trachtenberg Precinct Results

By DistrictBy Local AreaBy Race/Ethnicity

Mary Kane Used Campaign Funds to Pay The Kane Company

GOP Lieutenant Governor candidate Mary Kane has run for office twice before in Montgomery County. On both occasions, she used campaign funds to pay her family-owned firm, The Kane Company.The Kane Company is a furniture moving and installation firm headed by John M. Kane, who is Mary Kane’s husband and a former Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party. Mary Kane is a former director of the

Rushern Baker on Prince George's Turnout

From TBD:

Environment Maryland on the Governor's Race

Congressman Chris Van Hollen on "Political Pulse" on Ch. 16 TV‏

Chris Van Hollen, Congressman from Maryland's 8th District and Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) will be on "Political Pulse" on:Friday, Oct. 22nd through Sunday, Oct. 24th at 6 p.m. and Tuesday October 26th, at 9:30 p.m.Topics that will be discussed include the mid-term elections (and whether the Democrats can hold onto the House of Rep's), jobs, campaign

George Leventhal for Council At-Large, 2002

George Leventhal won his first at-large council race in 2002 the same way he won his next two elections: with lots of endorsements, especially from MCEA. He devoted an entire mailer to education that year which we reprint below, but he couldn't help throwing in a quote from his former boss, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski.

MoCo Primary 2010: George Leventhal Precinct Results

By DistrictBy Local AreaBy Race/Ethnicity

Jamie Raskin on the Separation of Church and State

Nancy Floreen for Council At-Large, 2002

Nancy Floreen won her first at-large primary in 2002, in which she finished third. Here's a mailer from that year in which she touts endorsements from County Executive Doug Duncan and former County Executive Neal Potter, who at the time represented competing ideologies in county politics. Floreen has won three straight at-large primaries without the Apple Ballot, the only MoCo candidate we know

MoCo Primary 2010: Nancy Floreen Precinct Results

By DistrictBy Local AreaBy Race/Ethnicity

Top Blog Posts, September 2010

These are the most-visited blog posts on MPW in September, our record month. (See here for the most-visited posts in the two weeks immediately before the primary election.)1. Nuclear War in District 192. Early Morning Analysis: Winners and Losers3. Light Saqib, Dark Saqib4. We’re Calling Them!5. Illegal Sample Ballot Goes Out in Prince George’s County6. Early Vote Results7. Police Call

Martha Schaerr: "Stealth School Board Candidate"

Ehrlich vs. O'Malley on Marriage Equality

From the Washington Post debate:

Hans Riemer, 2006: "I'll Get the Purple Line Built or Die Trying"

Hans Riemer has always been an ardently pro-transit candidate, even at the risk of his own health. In 2006, he ran for the open Council District 5 seat and sent out this mailer in which he vowed, "I'll Get the Purple Line Built or Die Trying." Hans lost the election, but he did survive the mailer. He is headed to Rockville after finishing second in this year's council at-large primary.

MoCo Primary 2010: Hans Riemer Precinct Results

By DistrictBy Local AreaBy Race/Ethnicity

Ehrlich Spells His Name Wrong on His Own Lit

Marc Elrich for Council At-Large, 1994

Marc Elrich may have scored a sweeping victory in his at-large reelection run last month, but it was not always this way. Elrich ran four times - in District 5 in 1990 and 1998 and at-large in 1994 and 2002 - before winning an at-large seat in 2006. In every at-large race, he has done better than the last time. Elrich finished seventh in 1994, sixth in 2002, second in 2006 and first this

Mike Knapp Awarded Contract by City of Gaithersburg

Last night, the City Council of Gaithersburg voted to approve a six-month contract with outgoing County Council Member Mike Knapp to develop a strategic plan for economic development and marketing.According to the City Council resolution authorizing the contract:The City Strategic Plan establishes that we will actively pursue economic development programs and strategies. Based on input from the

On the Last Gonzales Poll

Gonzales Research just released their last poll on the Governor’s race prior to the election. The poll, which interviewed 816 likely voters and found a 47%-42% edge for Martin O’Malley, is notable for several reasons.1. The poll is the fourth one in a row, and the seventh of the last eight, showing a lead for O’Malley. The last time Bob Ehrlich had a lead in a non-candidate-financed poll was

MoCo Primary 2010: Marc Elrich Precinct Results

By DistrictBy Local AreaBy Race/Ethnicity

Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns Tells Teens It Gets Better

I'm in awe of the courage of the fine public servant who I met with his husband over lunch last December. A real living example of how diversity in public life can make a difference. Watch his speech at a Fort Worth City Council meeting and interview on CNN.

Council At-Large Forum: Wednesday Night in Rockville

MPW Reader Poll: Comeback Candidates

Free Blog Poll

MoCo Primary 2010: Council At-Large Precinct Results

Total Results (Including Absentees and Provisionals)By DistrictBy Local AreaBy Race/Ethnicity

Sharon Dooley's New Blog

MPW contributor and two-time County Council District 2 candidate Sharon Dooley has started a new blog called Politics Plus. Good luck, Sharon!

It’s a Small World After All

By Kevin Gillogly.One of the things I love about the politics is all the people you meet. You just never know when you are going to run into to someone you know from another endeavor, an old friend, or someone who knows your family. The latter is so much harder for me, since I am from Chicago.^But it did happen to me on Sunday. In the middle of setting up for the 1,000 Women for O’Malley, Brown &

More Highlights: Second Governor Debate

Post/WUSA Governor's Debate Highlights

Ben Kramer for Council District 2, 1994

The candidates who lost the Council District 2 primary to Craig Rice should be encouraged by the district's history: more than one loser has returned to win. Here is one of them: Ben Kramer, son of former County Executive Sid Kramer. Ben Kramer was the Democratic Party nominee against District 2 GOP incumbent Nancy Dacek in 1994 and lost. But he is now headed back to Annapolis for a second

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown on "Political Pulse" on Ch. 16 TV‏

MD Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown will be on "Political Pulse" on:Fri, Oct. 15th-Sat, Oct. 17th, at 6 p.m.Tues, Oct. 19th, at 9:30 p.m. andThurs, Oct. 21st, at 9:00 p.m.Political Pulse is on Ch. 16 TV in Montgomery County.

MoCo Primary 2010: Council 2 Precinct Results

O'Malley Campaign Releases Full WJZ Debate and Fact Check

Gene Counihan for Senate, 1994

The Nancy King – Saqib Ali District 39 Senate race was a real barn burner, but it was not the first marquee Senate race in that district. District 39 was originally located in Baltimore City, but in the wake of the 1990 Census, it became a new district in Montgomery County. It originally stretched from unincorporated Gaithersburg up to the Frederick County border and was much more rural and

MoCo Primary 2010: Senate 39 Precinct Results

District 19 Senator Idamae Garrott

Prior to Mike Lenett’s election, District 19 had only three Senators over 28 years: Sid Kramer (1979-1986), Idamae Garrott (1987-1994) and Len Teitelbaum (1995-2006). Kramer was the best known since he became County Executive and Teitelbaum served the longest with three terms, but Garrott achieved a stature that bordered on iconic. Gazette columnist Josh Kurtz wrote after her passing in 1999, “

Green Candidate Launches Attack Ad on Leopold

Lots of racy puns in this one, folks!

MoCo Primary 2010: House 19 Precinct Results

Ehrlich Flees Reporters After Debate

The Maryland Democratic Party released this video of former Governor Bob Ehrlich running away from reporters after his debate with Governor Martin O'Malley. The Sun reported at the time, "Ehrlich waited in a back room for about 30 minutes talking to staff before jetting. His SUV drove past the huge O'Malley press conference that is going on right now." Enjoy!

Is O'Malley Starting to Pull Away from Ehrlich?

Here's a chart of poll averages from Real Clear Politics.And here is the list of poll results on which they are relying.

MoCo Primary 2010: Senate 19 Precinct Results

Women for Doug Duncan, 1994

Both gubernatorial campaigns have held events emphasizing women recently, and they have good reason for doing so. This is nothing new, of course. Here is a Washington Post ad placed by Doug Duncan's first County Executive campaign in 1994 listing his prominent female supporters. There are a lot of famous and soon-to-be famous names on this list. One of them appearing in the fourth column from

Women Dominate Maryland Primaries

Candidates and political consultants have known for a long time that women outvote men in Maryland elections. But data released by the State Board of Elections (SBE) on last month’s primaries show just how important that phenomenon is.SBE’s 2010 election page does not include a turnout section yet, but its press room does have stats on election day and early voter turnout. One of SBE’s

MoCo Primary 2010: House 18 Precinct Results

MPW Reader Poll: MoCo Republicans

Free Blog Poll

Sierra Club: "A Clear Choice for Governor"

This is a mailer that the Sierra Club will be sending out contrasting the environmental records of Martin O'Malley and Bob Ehrlich.

Gigi Godwin on MoCo's Economic Recovery

Gigi Godwin, the President of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, is interviewed by TBD.com on the state of Montgomery County's economic recovery.

MoCo Primary 2010: Senate 17 Precinct Results

ABC Covers Obama-O'Malley Rally

Ehrlich vs. O’Malley on School Construction

State political news has been dominated this week by the debate between Bob Ehrlich and Martin O’Malley on state education aid, a worthy topic on which we will have some comment. But operating support is only one side of state funding for local schools. The other side is capital support for school construction. How did the two Governors do on that measure during their terms in office?First,

MoCo Primary 2010: House 16 Precinct Results

Marc Korman and Mark Uncapher on Political Pulse

Marc Korman, who is on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, and Mark Uncapher, the Chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party, discuss key County and State races on "Political Pulse" on:Thurs, Oct 7th at 9:00 p.m.Fri-Sun, Oct. 8th-10th at 6:00 p.m. andTues, October 12th, at 9:30 p.m.Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV in Montgomery County.

Leggett Opposes Ehrlich's Cut for MoCo Schools

County Executive Ike Leggett released the following statement today on Bob Ehrlich's proposed cut to state aid for Montgomery County Public Schools.Former Governor Bob Ehrlich’s proposal to eliminate Maryland’s Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) will cost Montgomery County 32 million a year -- or $320 million over the next ten years. Over the past three years, Montgomery County has

ACT Compares Ehrlich and O'Malley on the Purple Line

Action Committee for Transit (ACT) has established a new website comparing Bob Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley on the Purple Line. Here's what ACT has to say on the two Governors.Robert EhrlichFormer Governor Ehrlich is running as an opponent of the light rail Purple Line.Governor Ehrlich raising campaign funds at Columbia Country Club - Photo by Patricia Metzger.In 2003, the newly elected Ehrlich

The Ambulance Fee Cut List

As both the Post and the Gazette have reported, County Executive Ike Leggett has proposed a list of budget cuts to offset possible repeal of the ambulance fee by the voters. The council seems unlikely to adopt any cuts prior to the fate of the ambulance fee referendum is known, but this is the first blueprint of what may happen if the fee is rejected.The newspapers have quoted extensively from

Riemer Protests Ehrlich's Cut for MoCo Schools

Hans Riemer, one of the Democratic Party's four nominees for council at-large, is protesting GOP Governor candidate Bob Ehrlich's proposed cut to MoCo's state education aid. Following is his press release.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 06, 2010CONTACT: Alex Behrend, alex@hansriemer.comRiemer Rejects Ehrlich’s Planned Education Cuts, Says “Writing Is On The Chalkboard” for Montgomery

MoCo Primary 2010: House 14 Precinct Results

President Obama in Bowie (Updated)

President Obama is appearing with Maryland's elected leaders in Bowie on Thursday afternoon. Here are the details.What: Rally with President Barack Obama, Governor Martin O'Malley, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and Congressman Chris Van HollenWhere: Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland 20715When: Thursday, October

MCEA/SEIU Mailer for Karen Montgomery, District 14 Senate, 2010

Here's a joint independent mailer from MCEA and SEIU on behalf of District 14 Senate candidate Karen Montgomery, who narrowly defeated incumbent Rona Kramer in this year's primary. Montgomery benefitted from a LARGE independent effort by labor and environmental groups.

MoCo Primary 2010: Senate 14 Precinct Results

Blair Ewing's Walk Piece, 1998

Blair Ewing served 22 years on the Board of Education before finally running for a County Council at-large seat in 1998. He finished third that year and went on to lead a revolt against County Executive Doug Duncan on living wage, development and the ICC. This is the walk piece he used in winning his first, and only, term on the County Council.

MoCo Primary 2010: Precinct Turnout

Precinct Turnout, 2010Precinct Turnout, 2006 vs. 2010Precinct Turnout Demographics, 2006 vs. 2010

MPW Reader Poll: Washington Post Governor's Race Poll

Free Blog Poll

Kane Pulls Out of Debate with Brown – in Her Own Community

GOP Lieutenant Governor nominee Mary Kane has ducked out of a debate with incumbent Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown – even though it was to be held in her own community of Potomac!On Wednesday, Congregation Har Shalom of Potomac sent out this solicitation for a debate between Kane and Brown to be held this Sunday.Kane had confirmed participation prior to this notice, but upon learning that

Ida Ruben for Parris Glendening, 1998

This year's Governor's race has certain parallels with 1998. Both years saw an incumbent Democrat in a rematch with a tough opponent, and both years saw low primary turnout in MoCo. The success of any Democratic Governor nominee depends on both percentage and turnout in MoCo.So back then, District 20 Senator Ida Ruben did her part, sending out the mailer below to her ultra-liberal constituents