Former state delegate Sue Kullen claims her quest to regain her seat in the Maryland General Assembly is in no way bellicose. “This is not a war, it’s a choice,” said Kullen, to a gathering of supporters Sunday evening, June 16 at Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery in St. Leonard. The outdoor event had originally been scheduled for Thursday, June 12 but was postponed due to rain. That meant a number of Kullen’s supporters who had brought tickets to the fundraiser were unable to attend and also called for a change in entertainment, since singer Deanna Dove was booked in another venue Sunday evening. “Some Assembly,” a trio that plays Celtic music, stepped up to pinch-hit.
The fundraiser was dubbed an “Everything Calvert Event—Putting Calvert First.” In addition to a spread of local Calvert County foods and Perigeaux wines, a silent auction featured several items donated by local businesses.
Of the upcoming race in the newly configured District 27-C, Kullen declared, “it’s not about politics—it’s about our beautiful county.”
In 2004 Kullen was selected by the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee to fill the vacancy in District 27B created when longtime lawmaker George W. Owings III was appointed Veterans Affairs secretary by then-Governor Robert Ehrlich. In 2006, Kullen scored a surprisingly easy victory over her Republican opponent—David Hale, a two-term Calvert County commissioner—to win a full four-year term.
The election of 2010 in Calvert, however was dominated by Republicans, and Kullen was one of the Democrat casualties, losing to businessman Mark N. Fisher of Owings.
“I was devastated after the election,” said Kullen, who subsequently joined the staff of Maryland U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. “I felt my six years were good.” It was after doing some serious “soul searching” that Kullen decided to undertake the task of attempting to win the seat back.
“We need somebody in Annapolis who’s going to listen,” said Duwane Rager, Kullen’s campaign manager. “The guy there now isn’t doing that.”
Kullen has begun an intense door-knocking campaign in the district, with a goal of visiting 9,000 homes by November.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.
