Blending experience, freshness in the legislature

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006

The loss of several long-serving state politicians in September’s primary and the retirements of several other legislators opens the door for some new faces in Montgomery County’s delegation to the state legislature Annapolis.

In the general election, now less than two weeks away, there are three open Senate seats, although one race is unopposed, and six open House of Delegates seats.

Unlike four years ago when numerous Democrats waltzed into office unopposed, the county’s Republican Party was able to field candidates for almost every seat this time. However, many of the challengers were last-minute entrants who knew very little about the political process. But a few have the potential to hold future office if they stay involved in the political scene.

Voters can choose up to three candidates in the House races.

District 14

In her first term, Democratic Sen. Rona E. Kramer led her delegation in making the rest of the state understand the needs of the new District 14, which before 2002 had been primarily represented by Howard County politicians. She has been good for the business community, good for arts groups and other organizations in the district, and good for its residents. She deserves another term.

The House of Delegates race features one of the few Republicans who deserves a chance in Annapolis. Jim Goldberg, who ran unsuccessfully for a House seat in 2002, has practical ideas for tackling local issues and making state government more accountable. He has also paid his dues through his involvement in civic issues.

For the other two spots, Democrats Anne R. Kaiser and Herman L. Taylor Jr. deserve second terms.

Kaiser had an impressive first term and is not timid about taking on tough issues. Taylor has especially close ties to his district and represents his constituents’ needs well in Annapolis. We would like to see him become more of a leader in the delegation.

District 14 covers the Burtonsville area, Olney, Brookeville, Laytonsville and Damascus.

District 15

Three of the district’s four state representatives elected in the last election were newcomers to Annapolis. Sen. Robert J. Garagiola, and delegates Kathleen M. Dumais and Brian J. Feldman, all Democrats, won their first terms in 2002 and headed to the State House alongside veteran Del. Jean B. Cryor, the lone Republican. All four deserve another term.

Garagiola has positioned himself as an emerging leader in the Senate, and has been tackling the welfare of our children as the chairman of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families.

Cryor has proven to be an independent voice in Annapolis. Her 11 years of service on the Ways and Means Committee, now as a ranking member, affords the county and district a strong voice.

Dumais has earned respect for her legal knowledge and her expertise in the area of family law. Feldman has focused on the state’s growing biotech industry, helping to create the Biotechnology Investment Incentive Act that provides tax credits for investors in Maryland’s small, early-stage biotech firms. This is an area where more delegates need to become involved.

The House of Delegates’ race did feature two promising newcomers — Chris Pilkerton (R) of Potomac and Craig L. Rice (D) of Germantown. While we can’t recommend them over the incumbents, we’d like to see both continue to pursue their goals of public service. Our communities could only benefit from their ideas and involvement.

District 15 includes portions of Bethesda, Potomac, Darnestown, Poolesville, parts of Germantown and several upcounty communities.

District 16

In the state Senate race for this district that includes Bethesda and Chevy Chase, we endorse incumbent Democratic Sen. Brian A. Frosh, who has nearly 20 years of experience in Annapolis. He has long been a leader on environmental and legal issues and is well-respected by his colleagues.

We also recommend returning the House of Delegates Democratic incumbents for four more years. Finding three delegates and a senator who work well together to represent the community’s interests is important.

William A. Bronrott has worked through the years to strengthen traffic laws, including tougher teenage driving rules.

Susan C. Lee has been an advocate for giving Maryland greater enforcement to prosecute fraud on the Internet and she has sponsored legislation to reduce identity theft and prevent sales of fake IDs.

The third incumbent, Marilyn R. Goldwater, suffered from health problems the past session. But Goldwater has assured voters her health will not stand in the way of serving her district the next four years. Her expertise on health care matters will continue to be an asset in Annapolis.

District 17

In this district, voters get the opportunity to fill a vacant seat that has been held for many years by veteran legislator Michael R. Gordon. We believe Democrat Jim Gilchrist, who ran unsuccessfully in 2002, deserves that chance. He is well-versed on how state government works and has been active in civic affairs.

The two Democratic incumbents seeking re-election to their House seats — Kumar P. Barve and Luiz Simmons — deserve to be sent back to Annapolis for another term. Barve is the House majority leader with connections around the state. Simmons is one of the brightest and most effective legislators in the General Assembly.

In the Senate race, incumbent Democrat Jennie M. Forehand is unopposed.

The district covers the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Garrett Park.

District 18

The retirement of Sharon M. Grosfeld from the Senate has created an opportunity for Del. Richard A. Madaleno Jr. to move up.

Madaleno, elected to the House for the first time four years ago, is known as one of the Democrats’ top budget experts in the General Assembly. That knowledge will come in handy as he is expected to fill the void left by the defeat of Sen. Ida G. Ruben in District 20, who served for years on the Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee.

In the District 18 House race, we are endorsing the two incumbents and a newcomer on the Democratic side.

Although we do not always agree with Democrat Ana Sol Gutierrez on issues, we think her role as a Hispanic leader and her work on immigration issues is still needed in Annapolis. We encourage her to broaden her scope during her next term.

We also endorse Jane E. Lawton, who has gained some experience during her one session in Annapolis. Lawton’s year in Annapolis and her familiarity with Montgomery County issues should serve her well in a full term.

For the third spot, we endorse Jeff Waldstreicher. While new to the political scene, he does show an understanding of the important issues facing his constituents in Annapolis. We hope he can show some independence during his first term in the General Assembly.

District 18 includes portions of Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Kensington and Wheaton.

District 19

Despite some very thoughtful and practical ideas by Republican challenger Mike Ryman in the Senate race, we believe newcomer Mike Lennett will have a better chance at replacing Sen. Leonard H. Teitelbaum and working with the power brokers in Annapolis.

Lennett’s energy, which helped him defeat longtime delegates Carol S. Petzold and Adrienne A. Mandel in the primary, will be an asset as he makes his way through the maze of legislation.

In the House race, the Republicans put up an impressive group of challengers in a district known for its Democratic stronghold. But we believe the Democrats have a level of experience and commitment that will serve them better in Annapolis.

Our overwhelming endorsement goes to Roger Manno, a first-time candidate who possesses the political panache of a seasoned veteran. Voters should be impressed by his thoughtful and workable budget ideas for making life better in the county and the state.

Voters should also return Del. Henry B. ‘‘Hank” Heller to office. He is the only member of the former District 19 delegation to make it this far in the race, and his depth of knowledge is important to have in Annapolis.

For the third seat, we choose Benjamin F. Kramer. Although Kramer’s name does not surface in civic issues, we believe he understands the needs of the business community and will be an important voice for that constituency.

This district covers Wheaton, Aspen Hill and parts of Olney.

District 20

In this district, which includes Silver Spring and Takoma Park, we support incumbent Democrat Sheila E. Hixson and Democratic newcomers Heather R. Mizeur and Tom Hucker in the delegate race.

Hixson’s position as chair of the Ways and Means committee gives Montgomery County an important voice in the General Assembly leadership.

Mizeur’s experience working on Capitol Hill for Sen. John F. Kerry gives her insight on federal issues that can affect state government, and her stint with the Takoma Park City Council provided her with the background on how to see local issues and solve problems.

Hucker, a longtime lobbyist, has the personality and know-how to deal with the politics of the General Assembly, and we believe he will be able to shift from an advocacy role to one where he will have to consider the broader statewide picture.

For Senate, Democratic primary winner Jamie Raskin is unopposed in the general election.

District 39

In the House race in District 39, we endorse the two Democratic incumbents — Charles E. Barkley and Nancy J. King.

Barkley, who serves as chairman of the Montgomery County House delegation, is well-liked by his colleagues and has been a quiet, yet effective, leader.

King brings her years of experience as a member of the county school board to Annapolis and in a short time has forged key relationships with state leadership.

For the third seat, we choose the Democratic newcomer Saqib Ali. We believe he has the energy, the community involvement and a diverse perspective needed to understand his constituents. We urge him to choose substance over style, and not get caught up in the trappings of being a new legislator.

In the Senate race, incumbent Democrat Patrick J. Hogan is unopposed.

The district covers Montgomery Village, North Potomac, Washington Grove and parts of Germantown.