Harford County Exec Race

[DaveinMD]

What do folks know about the Dems running?

[nickshepDEM]

1. Let me start off by asking...

Do any of them stand a chance? Harford has been steadily drifting away from the Democrats for a while now. We used to have a huge party id advantage, but it looks as if that is gone forever.

[DaveinMD]

2. its a tough road

over 60 percent Republican performance in recent elections.

[Polecat]

3. Party Registration...

...is close to 50/50. Granted, there are a lot of crossovers, but I think it's the Indy vote that kills us.

It has gotten so bad that long-time Democrat and Register of Wills since '86, Harry Hopkins switched parties to give himself a chance to retain office in '06. He won in '02 by less than 1%...the writing was on the wall.

I'm uncertain how the BRAC situation will affect us in the future. We anticipate growth as a result to increase by 58,000 in this county (I suspect that number might be a bit high). The majority of the jobs seem to be transferring to APG from Ft. Monmouth, NJ, which may be a good sign. The types of jobs are high tech, which may or may not be a good sign. If nothing else, it will increase our tax base, but development will spin out of control. I'm typically an anti-infrastructure improvement type. Once you make the improvements, they justify continued uncontrolled growth, and the cycle starts over.

As to the exec race, Ann Helton has been the predominant name mentioned for the Democratic Party. Embattled Aberdeen mayor Doug Wilson was once rumored to be interested in the job, but he was caught up in a demi-scandal with the police department and some sort of misappropriations of funds. As a result, he lost his re-election bid as mayor to Fred Simmons, the only Republican in the race. Wilson is damaged goods.

Ann is the wife of former St. Sen. Art Helton who lost the County Exec race to Harkins in '98. She's got decent name recognition, but Craig is well-funded by developers and has picked up where Harkins left off (of course he was hand-picked by Harkins so that's no real surprise).

In Harford, you should keep an eye on "friendly" Republicans. In fact, in '02, I was encouraged by the Democratic candidate for County Exec Paul Gilbert to consider Robert Wagner (R) over Gunther Hirsch (D) for County Council President. Hirsch was a mouthpiece for the Harkins Administration. Wagner won and has proven to be a fantastic Council President. He is being targeted by the Repubs in the Primary due to his independent streak, which included a vote for Louise Snodgrass (D) for the County Exec appointment; and a vote against Mayor David Craig (R)...the only no vote he received. Another "friendly" is Robert Cassilly in Council District C. He is also being targeted for his moderate stances.

I do suspect that the Repubs are the odds on favorite to sweep all county offices. That includes District A Councilman Dion Guthrie (D). A ton of money will be thrown to his Republican opponent(s)...I think they will ultimately defeat him.

[Polecat]

4. Ann Helton is in for Ha Co Exec.

Please distribute the web address to any and all interested dems for exposure.

http://www.annhelton.com/

Some may recognize Ann as the runningmate to BC County Exec Ted Venetoulis in the 1978 Gubenatorial Primary which featured Harry Hughes and Blair Lee, III (whose runningmate was Steny Hoyer).

At this point, I think she starts out with about 35-40% of the vote. She'll need exposure and ultimately $$$ to improve upon that.

I don't believe she'll face a Primary opponent. I think the Repubs will have a nasty Primary (although no one has mentioned a challenge as of yet) since Co. Exec. Craig (R) rightly vetoed the County council's upzoning measure that was going to make a couple of developers very rich....make that "richer" since they are already very rich.

[JPC_Sr]

5. Testing the system.

;-) The Board will not let me post a thread so this is to put a reply in as I am new here and it requires that I do some post first before opening a thread.

I think it is a rule based in fear of words but another poster invited me to this Board so I am going through the motions.

Peace...............

[JPC_Sr]

6. Test 2,

Second post for the process.

[JPC_Sr]

7. Test 3,

Third post, 3rd.

[JPC_Sr]

8. Test 4,

Fourth, 4th.

[JPC_Sr]

9. Test 5,

Fith, 5th.

[JPC_Sr]

10. Test 6, last.

Sixth, 6th.

[Southern Marylander]

11. Hello JPC

This board rule of x number of posts I think has more to do with the admin getting a feel of who you are, and how you will post before allowing you to start your own thread.

I dont think it is a rule that is based on the fear of the written word, as much as a rule to keep DU what the members want it to be.

They want it to be a sounding board for their ideas and thoughts, they want to be able to do this without being disrupted by those that might not agree with what they say or stand for.

Simple respect of those wishes should do you fine here. It is not to say that you can not disagree with what they say, but I think that the disagreement should be done with respect, and with sound reason on your part.

good luck on your posting here.

I will now most likely not post too much on the DU from here on out. I will however read your posts just for the heck of it. I suggested you try it here to see what other democrats thought of your ideas.

[JPC_Sr]

12. Test 7,

It still will not let me post.

Chicken is as chichen does...........