No slam dunk for progressives, but we have a good shot June 2006

The County and State have a number of emerging progressive candidates for the fall primaries, and the recent endorsements by the State and local teachers' union offer a boost to some who now have a real shot at winning their elections. But the sword of the teachers' union endorsement cuts both ways. It's also still early, and what makes elections interesting are the possibilities of hustle and flow.

The endorsement of the State Teachers' Union (MD Education Association) of Tom Perez, our able rep on the Montgomery County Council, should give him added name recognition statewide and help against his opponents' deep pockets in the state's Attorney General race.

Their endorsement of Kweisi Mfume over Congressman Ben Cardin in the race for the Senate slot now may catapult him into the front runner.

And Montgomery County exec Doug Duncan's failure to get the endorsement over Baltimore Mayor O'Malley, plus the scandal over lobbyist Jack Abramoff's contributions to his earlier campaign, leaves many wondering whether he'll throw in the towel. (There's also some chance that the scandal will implicate Council candidates connected to Duncan's 'End Gridlock' slate.)

Meanwhile, Duchy Tractenburg, running as an at-large candidate for County Council, is considered a front-runner. Same for Takoma Park Council member and teacher Marc Elrich. Their elections to the Council would give smart growth/progressive forces a council majority next term.

There's some hope that the public will remember Council member Michael Subin's anger management problems and Nancy Floreen's mismanagement of the Clarksburg development fiasco. If so, Hugh Bailey and other challenges are out there waiting for at-large openings. Hugh's mom, Roz Pelles, managed the successful Valerie Ervin School Board race and is well-known in union and progressive circles. Hugh comes across as a worthy candidate.

Both Hugh and Jamie Raskin's volunteer staffs are loaded with high school students. It is impressive to me that students are inspired enough to contribute their time and energy to the local political process.

Recently, while discussing the local and state political scene, a friend remarked that the overwhelming majority of voters have no idea who runs and who is elected to local political office. To prove his point, he spontaneously stopped people and reeled off names of elected officials. Only one person know who they were! That's why I'm especially impressed with the student involvement. Maybe they'll inspire their parents, teachers, and other adults!

District 18 has an interesting race. Former Delegate Rich Magdelino, known as the architect of Maryland State education Thornton funding, will succeed retiring State Senator Sharon Grossfeld. He's well regarded in Annapolis and openly gay. On the negative side, he's a former Duncan aide and a supporter of the ICC.

Three well-qualified candidates are running for the open state assembly delegate seat - former Common Cause executive Jim Browning, lawyer Jeff Waldstreicher, and Al Carr. Jeff has been active in NARAL and the NAACP. Al Carr, a well regarded council member on the Kensington City Council, is also running.

The Teachers' Union endorsement of Tom Hucker plus his indefatigable work as exec of Progressive Maryland should earn him a seat as rep in the 20th district race. Heather Mizeur looks like she will also get the union's endorsement which can help her knock out the uninspiring and mostly absent Delegate Garreth Murray. Aaron Klein is running a strong and credible campaign.

Valerie Ervin threw her hat belatedly into the ring for our district on the County Council (District 5) and threw the entire race off-balance. Marc Elrich will now run at large with the Teachers' Union support. They will also support Dutchy and George Leventhal and, rather than endorse the other incumbents, leave the fourth seat to voter choice.

Jamie Raskin's race to replace Senator Ida Ruben continues to pick up momentum. There's a recent poll showing him making large gains in name recognition, undoubtedly due to his vigorous, grass-roots campaign. It'll be a test, though, for 20th district voters.

Although her time has come and gone, Ruben has the power of an incumbent including all the cards she'll call in for past favors--plus the support of the Democratic Party leadership including personal friend George Levanthal, State Senate Prez Mike Miller, and Senator Barbara Mikulski.

On the other hand, Jamie has solid progressive credentials, a large volunteer staff, including Democracy Summer student interns, and support from many in Takoma Park and Silver Spring. He's focused on some of the most important and sensitive issues that have plagued Maryland politics, including patronage, pork and public policy.

But it's an uphill battle for Jamie when Ruben gets the endorsement of the Teacher's Union and Progressive MD in return for voting on their selected issues. So, the test is how many voters can be reached by Jamie and his volunteers and how many will simply vote according to an endorsement they receive in the mail.

Now's the time for you to become more aware of candidates for local office and become personally involved. Write checks, volunteer, offer to introduce your favorite candidates to neighbors door-to-door, or offer to throw a house party. The progressive ball's in your court, and there are no slam dunks in this primary.

Anyone wanting to meet and talk to progressive at-large County Council candidate Hugh Bailey, there is a house party for him in Takoma Park (8022 Maple Ave.) at 1:00 on Sunday June 25th (301-587-5559)

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