Perspectives on the 2006 Election
By
Franklin Goldstein, Esquire
Page 2 of 2
House of Delegates
In sub-District 1A (Garrett and Allegany Counties), six Republicans and one Democrat are running
to succeed George Edwards. A Republican will probably win but at this time the Republican Primary
battle is too close to call.
In District 6 (Baltimore County), where Delegate John Arnick retired to take a State position
and then, regrettably, passed away, the two remaining Democratic incumbents and six other Democrats
are entered in the Primary to secure the three nominations for the General Election. Four Republicans
are running to secure the three nominations for the General Election. With so many candidates running,
anything can happen.
In District 11, where Delegate Bobby Zirkin is running for Senate, the two Democratic
incumbents and 11 other Democrats are running in the Democratic Primary to secure the three spots in the
General Election. Two Republicans are unopposed in the Primary. However, that district traditionally goes
Democratic.
In District 17 (Montgomery County), where Delegate Michael Gordon has retired, the
two remaining Democratic incumbents and five other Democrats are running in the Primary to secure the
three Democratic nominations in the General Election. One Republican is unopposed but this district normally
goes Democratic.
In District 18 (Montgomery County), with Delegate Madaleno running for the Senate
seat, the other two incumbent Democratic delegates plus six other Democrats, are running in the Primary
to fill the three seats.
In District 19 (Montgomery County), where current Delegates Mandel and Petzold are
running for the Senate, the one incumbent Democratic delegate and seven other Democrats are running in
the Primary for the three nominations in the General Election. Three Republicans are unopposed in the
Primary. This is usually a very safe Democratic district.
In District 20 (Montgomery County), where Peter Franchot is running for Comptroller,
the remaining two incumbent Democratic delegates plus five other Democrats, are running in the Primary
to be the three Democratic candidates in the General Election. The three Republicans are unopposed in
the Primary. Here, again, the Democrats will be favored in the General Election.
In District 21 (Prince George´s and Anne Arundel Counties), where Delegate
Pauline Menes has retired, the two remaining Democratic incumbents and six other Democrats are running
in the Primary to be the three Democratic candidates in the General Election. The battle in the Democratic
Primary will be a close one since the two Senate candidates, John Giannetti and challenger Jim Rosapepe,
are both fielding complete tickets in the delegate race. As previously stated, candidate Jim
Rosapepe´s ticket will include the two incumbent Democratic delegates. There is one Republican
who is unopposed in the Primary but this district seems to always go Democratic in the General Election.
In District 25 (Prince George´s County), where Anthony Brown is the Lieutenant
Governor candidate on Martin O´Malley´s ticket for Governor, the two remaining incumbent
delegates and five other Democrats are running in the Democratic Party for the three Democratic
nominations in the General Election. One Republican is running unopposed but this district generally
goes Democratic.
In District 26 (Prince George´s County), where Delegate Obie Patterson is
running for the Senate, the two remaining Democratic delegates plus eight other Democrats, are running
for the three Democratic nominations for the General Election. With so many candidates, it appears
likely that the two incumbent Democrats will win two spots; the remaining Delegate spot is up for
grabs. There is one Republican who is unopposed but it is doubtful that a Republican can win in
this district.
In District 30 (Anne Arundel County), where Republican Delegate Herb McMillan
is running for the Senate, seven Republicans are running for the three Republican nominations for
the General Election. In the Democratic Primary, the two Democratic incumbents, including Speaker
Busch, are running against three other Democrats for the three Democratic nominations for the
General Election. In the last election, this district elected two Democratic delegates and one
Republican delegate, so both primaries and the General Election are too close to call at this time.
In District 31 (Anne Arundel County), where Republican incumbent Delegate
John R. Leopold is running for County Executive, the remaining Republican incumbent, Don Dwyer,
and four other Republicans are running in the Republican Primary. The one Democratic incumbent
delegate, and eight other Democrats, are running in the Democratic Primary. Since this district
in the last election elected two Republican delegates and one Democratic delegate and so many
candidates are entered in each Primary no one can predict who will be the Primary victors and who
will be the General Election victors.
In sub-District 33A (Anne Arundel County), where Republican incumbent David
Boschert is not running for re-election, the other incumbent Republican delegate in the two-member
district is running in the Republican Primary with five other Republicans vying for the two
nominations. In the Democratic Primary, three Democrats are vying for two nominations. This
sub-district elected two Republican delegates last election but no one knows what will happen
this time.
In sub-District 38B (Somerset, Wicomico and Worchester Counties), another
two-member district, Delegate Bennett Bozman, regrettably, passed away at the end of last
Session. The other incumbent Democrat, Norman H. Conway, Chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee, is running for re-election and the only other Democrat running in the Primary is
Jim Matthias, the former Mayor of Ocean City. The two of them will receive the Democratic
nominations for the General Election and they should be favored in the General Election. There
are five Republicans running in the Primary for the two Republican nominations. It is not
possible to predict which two will be nominated and whether or not either or both of the two
nominated have any chance of defeating either or both Democrats in the General Election.
In District 40 (Baltimore City), where incumbent Democratic Delegates
Salima Marriott and Catherine Pugh are running for the Senate, the remaining incumbent
Democrat and eight other Democrats are running in the Primary to secure the three Democratic
nominations which would seem to assure victory in the General Election, since no Republicans
and only one Green candidate is running in the General Election.
In District 42 (Baltimore County), Delegate John Trueschler has retired
and the two remaining incumbent Republican Delegates and six other Republicans are contesting
for the three Republican nominations for the General Election. Five Democratic candidates are
seeking the three Democratic nominations for the General Election. This district elected a
Democratic senator but three Republican delegates in the last election. Both the Primary
election races and the eventual General Election race are much too close to call.
In District 45 (Baltimore City), incumbent Democratic Delegate, and
very good friend, Clarence "Tiger" Davis, has decided (in my view, much too soon) to retire.
The two remaining Democratic incumbent delegates and five other Democrats are running in the
Primary to secure three nominations for the General Election. The Democrats will probably be
elected in the General Election since only one candidate, a populist, will be running in the
General Election against them.
At this juncture, it appears that all six committee chairmen in the House
will be re-elected and will retain their chairmanships. It appears that one or more of the
six vice chairmen in the House face difficult battles in their respective Primary elections
or in the General Election.
That´s it, for now. I will take another look after the conclusion
of the Primary elections. I will do a complete evaluation at the conclusion of the General Election.
Franklin Goldstein
Legislative Representative
Maryland Psychiatric Society and Suburban Maryland Psychiatric Society
Page: [
1
] [
2
]
Top
