MCEA Endorsements

The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) is so influential that I thought I would review their endorsements here even though they released them sometime ago.

In District 14, MCEA endorsed all of the incumbent delegates but dissed incumbent Sen. Rona Kramer by making no endorsement in her race even though she is unopposed in the primary. All incumbents were endorsed in Districts 15 and 16, including Republican Del. Jean Cryor. Elbridge James was endorsed for the open seat in District 17 as was Jeff Waldstreicher in District 18. Waldstreicher is clearly thrilled to receive MCEA's support as he splats the MCEA apple logo across the screen as a welcome to his web page. MCEA also endorsed all of the incumbents in these race, including Del. Richard Madaleno who is unopposed in the senatorial primary.

Like Progressive Maryland, MCEA chose to endorse Mike Lenett over either Del. Adrienne Mandel or Del. Carol Petzold for the open senate seat in District 19. For the three delegate seats, they plumped for incumbent Del. Hank Heller as well as newcomers Melodye Berry and Roger Manno. Incumbent Sen. Ida Ruben got the nod over challenger Jamie Raskin in District 20. MCEA did not endorse incumbent Del. Gareth Murray for reelection though they did recommend incumbent Del. Sheila Hixon in addition to Tom Hucker and Heather Mizeur.

MCEA also selected a newcomer over an incumbent in District 39 as they recommended challenger Saqib Ali but did not endorse incumbent Del. Joan Frances Stern. However, all of the other state legislative incumbents in District 39 got the nod from MCEA.

MCEA decided to stay out of the hot race for county executive. George Leventhal is the only incumbent at-large member of the County Council who they recommend for reelection. They also endorsed newcomers Marc Elrich and Duchy Trachtenberg. Valerie Ervin is MCEA's pick for the open seat in District 5. MCEA also recommends the incumbents in Districts 1 and 2.

Unsurprisingly, MCEA has opinions in all of the school board races. MCEA selected incumbents Patricia O'Neill and Nancy Navarro in Districts 3 and 5, respectively. Judy Docca, a retired principal, was endorsed for District 1. Shirley Brandman, a special education teacher, has MCEA backing for the at-large seat.