NARAL Endorsements

Maryland NARAL has issued its endorsements already for the upcoming primary. Montgomery is strong pro-choice territory so NARAL support can be a nice plum, especially in a Democratic primary.

NARAL endorsed all Montgomery incumbents for the state senate with the exception of Sen. Patrick Hogan in District 39 where no endorsement was made. Even District 14 Sen. Rona Kramer, an incumbent who has notably failed to win the support of various other Democratic-leaning groups, managed to pick up this one. NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland also supports Del. Richard Madaleno's bid to move up to the Senate in District 18.

Most strikingly, Mike Lenett won Maryland NARAL's endorsement for his Senate bid in District 19 over both Del. Adrienne Mandel and Del. Carol Petzold, two pro-choice women with strong pro-choice voting records. This adds to the string of endorsements in which Lenett has bested the two experienced legislators.

In Districts 15, 16, 17, and 39, Maryland NARAL is backing only the incumbents, including Republican Del. Jean Cryor in District 15--the only NARAL-endorsed Republican in the entire state. In Districts 18, 19, and 20, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland is supporting all of the incumbents and endorsing candidates for the open seats. Jeff Waldstreicher, who is on NARAL's board, got the nod in District 18. Paul Griffin and Roger Manno won NARAL's backing for their delegate races in District 19. Finally, Heather Mizeur gained their support for the open slot in District 20.