Hollywood, MD – Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, at 9 p.m.—the day and hour will be here before you know it. Anyone seeking to run for elective office in Maryland must file before that time for the 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election Tuesday, June 26. To date, there are still some incumbents who have either not filed or have not made their intentions known. In Southern Maryland’s three counties, the county commissioners’ races are slowly taking shape.
In Calvert County, Republican incumbents Mike Hart (Election District 1) and Tom Hejl (At large) have filed and Evan Slaughenhoupt (Election District 3) announced in December that he will not be seeking reelection. Commissioners Steve Weems (At large) and Pat Nutter (Election District 2) have not filed or announced if they will be running for third terms.
In Charles County, no incumbent commissioners have filed for reelection. One commissioner—Democrat Debra Davis—has filed to run for the House of Delegates. Peter Murphy (board president), Ken Robinson (Election District 1), Amanda Stewart (board vice president, Election District Three) and Bobby Rucci (Election District 4) have not filed for reelection. All of the incumbents are Democrats.
As for St. Mary’s County, three incumbents have filed for reelection. They are Commissioners’ President Randy Guy, John O’Connor (Third Election District) and, as of Friday, Jan. 26, Michael Hewitt (Second Election District). In a statement Hewitt released (and hand-delivered to TheBayNet.com after filing for reelection), the incumbent stated, “my position on county government is to make it efficient, transparent and user-friendly. I will work hard to keep your taxes as low as possible while maintaining high quality services. Our schools should be adequately funded, have the best teachers and provide a safe environment for our children.”
A reminder from the state and local election boards to all aspiring candidates—along with filing the certificate of candidacy, those seeking office must pay a filing fee at the appropriate board of elections. State and local candidates must also provide evidence that the candidate has filed a financial disclosure statement and established a candidate committee at the State Board of Elections. Candidates who filed a certificate of candidacy prior to Jan. 1, 2018 must file a new financial disclosure statement with the appropriate ethics agency prior to March 1, 2018. Failure to meet any of the requirements prior to the deadlines will invalidate the certificate of candidacy and remove the individual from the ballot.
Here’s a listing of who has filed locally as of Monday morning, Jan. 29.
Maryland Senate – District 27: Republicans Roussan “Rau” Etienne Jr. and Jesse A. Peed; and Democrats Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. and Tommi Makila. District 28: Democrat Mac Middleton. District 29: Republican Steve Waugh.
House of Delegates – District 27B: Republicans Philip Parenti and Michael Thomas. District 27C: Democrat Jason Fowler. District 28 (three seats): Republican Bill Dotson and Democrats John Coller, Debra Davis, Edward Holland, Edith Patterson and C.T. Wilson. District 29B: Democrat Brian Crosby. District 29C: Democrat Julia M. Nichols.
Calvert County – Commissioner At Large: Republicans Buddy Hance, Bill Heine and Tom Hejl; and Democrats Matt Bennett and Duwane Rager. Commissioner District One: Republicans Emad Dides and Mike Hart; and Democrat Tricia Powell. Commissioner District Two: Republicans Mark Arness and Lori Barbee. Commissioner District Three: Republican Kelly McConkey and Democrat Holly Heinz Budd. State’s Attorney: Republicans Kathryn Marsh and Andrew Rappaport. Judge of Orphans Court: Republicans Leslie Downs and Ted LeBlanc. Sheriff: Republicans Mike Evans, Craig W. Kontra and Kinsey Weems; and Democrat Michael Hawkins. Board of Education At large: Bill Phalen.
Charles County – Commissioner President: Democrat Brian G. Klass. Commissioner District One: Democrats Gilbert BJ Bowling, Richard Cook and Matt Nolan Wills. Commissioner District Two: Democrats Ulysee Davis, Jason Henry, Chuck McClam and Brandon Paulin and Brenda Thomas. Commissioner District Three: Democrats John Ashburn, Derrick Terry and Jerry Williams. District Four: Democrat Dyotha Rene Sweat. Circuit Court Clerk: Democrat Sherri Hancock. Judge of Orphans Court: Democrats Lorraine Berry, Darlene Breck, Frank Lancaster and T.E. Tre Steger-Smith. Sheriff: Democrats Troy Berry and Michael De Paulo. Board of Education (non-partisan): Karen Altieri, Tajala Taj Battle-Lockhart, Pernevlyn Coggins, David Hancock, Doug Sayers and Nashonda Sherrod.
St. Mary’s County – Commissioner President: Republican Randy Guy and Democrat J. Howard Thompson. Commissioner District One: Republicans Eric S. Colvin and Mike Daras; and Democrat Timothy Ridgell. Commissioner District Two: Republican Michael Hewitt and Democrat Annmarie Abell. Commissioner District Three: Republican John O’Connor and Unaffiliated Clarke Guy. Treasurer: Republican Christy Kelly. State’s Attorney: Republican Richard Fritz. Circuit Court Clerk: Republican Debbie Mills Burch. Register of Wills: Republican Phyllis A. Superior. Judge of Orphans Court: Republicans Albert Babcock and Bill Mattingly. Sheriff: Republicans Tim Cameron and Tom Phelan; and Democrat Ted Belleavoine. Board of Education (non-partisan): Rita Weaver and Karin Bailey.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com