Hollywood, MD – With a simple message via Twitter, Chelsea Manning has confirmed the biggest political buzz in the nation this weekend—the former Army Intelligence analyst is a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat up for grabs in Maryland this year. Manning, who was convicted of leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks, will be seeking the seat currently occupied by Senator Ben Cardin. Both Manning and Cardin are Democrats. At this point, Manning has only filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), an independent regulatory agency tasked with oversight of federal campaign finance laws. Manning—and Cardin, for that matter—have not filed with the Maryland Elections Board.
Manning was convicted of the leaking of documents, sentenced to 35 years in prison and granted clemency in the waning days of the Obama presidency. Manning, who came out as transgender after being sentenced, has moved from Oklahoma to Bethesda.
“Yup, we’re running for the Senate,” stated Manning’s Jan. 14 tweet.
Meanwhile, to date, several candidates in Southern Maryland have made their “yups” official. Here’s a list of who has filed as of Monday morning, Jan. 15.
Maryland Senate – District 27: Republicans Roussan “Rau” Etienne Jr. and Jesse A. Peed; and Democrat 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 Collier, 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: Republican Emad Dides 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: Republican Ted LeBlanc. Sheriff: Republicans Mike Evans, Craig W. Kontra and Kinsey Weems; and Democrat Michael Hawkins.
Charles County – Commissioner President: Democrat Brian G. Klass. Commissioner District One: Democrats Gilbert BJ Bowling, Richard Cook and Matt Nolan Wills. Commissioner District Two: Republican Jason Delizio; and Democrats Jason Henry, Chuck McClam and Brandon Paulin. Commissioner District Three: Democrats John Ashburn, Derrick Terry and Jerry Williams. 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: Democrat Annmarie Abell. Commissioner District Three: Republican John O’Connor. 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: Republican Bill Mattingly. Sheriff: Republicans Tim Cameron and Tom Phelan; and Democrat Ted Belleavoine. Board of Education (non-partisan): Rita Weaver and Karin Bailey.
The filing deadline is Feb. 27.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com