Brinkley won't seek re-election as Senate GOP leader

Caucus slated to meet Sept. 16 to elect new leadership

The second-term senator said the decision was based largely on getting his personal life in order and focusing on his job as a financial adviser.

"It's a matter of trying to address the challenges, and there are many," he said Monday. "I have to direct my efforts towards home and to my clients and to my community, and that's the best way I know to do it."

Frederick County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to Brinkley's home on May 30 for a report of a domestic dispute. According to police, Brinkley clashed and his wife, Sallie Brinkley, over marital issues. No criminal charges were filed and the senator was identified in the police report as the victim.

Although the GOP caucus publicly stood behind Brinkley, there were rumors that some in the party thought the incident would reflect poorly on the party's message of strong family values. As time passed, it appeared Brinkley would emerge politically unharmed but he said the decision to not seek the leadership post came within the last week. He said he was not pressured into stepping aside.

Senate Republicans elect their leadership team each year, but they rarely change during a four-year term. Brinkley, who served two terms in the House of Delegates before winning his current Senate seat in 2002, was narrowly chosen to lead the caucus in 2007. Brinkley was considered a more genial voice than his main competitor, Sen. Andrew P. Harris (R-Dist. 7) of Cockeysville.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach praised the GOP's tact under Brinkley and said that he maintained a good working relationship with him.

"It's a very difficult job being chairman of a minority caucus," he said. "You want to make certain that there is an opposition party and that the views of the opposition are known, but at the same time, you don't want to be labeled as an obstructionist."

Brinkley declined to endorse his successor and said he wasn't sure whether he'd recuse himself from choosing the next caucus leader, which could take place at the Sept. 16 meeting. But he said the caucus should choose someone who can both represent GOP values and work across party lines.

"The caucus needs to decide if they want to be effective and actually have a say in some of the outcomes in state politics knowing that they're outvoted 2 to 1 or they can choose to be bomb-throwers and incendiary and ineffective," he said. "… The public is sick of the partisan bickering. They want to see some creative ideas. I believe they are sick of one-party rule and the monopoly of that party and the arrogance it brings. But I also think as a vocal minority if you are just going to throw bombs and not offer solutions, the public is sick of that, too."

One logical successor agreed that a balanced approach is important.

"I think we're all united in our desire to have leadership that will continue to promote fiscal responsibility and sound fiscal policy for our state," said Senate Minority Whip Allan H. Kittleman (R-Dist. 9) of West Friendship, who will seek the top spot. "I think that we all are on the same page on 95 percent of the issues and we will continue to work together in that manner. We strive to make sure that are points are made and we fight for the opportunity to speak and we fight to hold the majority accountable for the decisions they make."

Brinkley, 48, said he hopes to resolve his personal affairs soon and plans to run for reelection in 2010.