Gaithersburg Gets Ugly?

The Gazette ran an interesting and well-rounded story on efforts by One Gaithersburg to get out the vote and the campaign finance issues raised by it. One Gaithersburg, a coalition of progressive and union groups, is trying to up turnout among union members and immigrants in support of its slate of Ahmed Ali, Carlos Solis, and Ryan Spiegel. The issue raises campaign finance questions because the group has spent $6000 on independent expenditures in support of the slate but none of the slate members have reported the expenditures as contributions. Such campaign finance questions are often very complicated.

However, some discussion of the issue appears to be focusing on the idea that immigrants (i.e. legal naturalized citizens) and Latinos will vote. Oh, the horror! A new anonymous blog with the misnomer New MoCo Progressive with one post has been started solely to promote the idea that "CASA de Maryland prepares to take over Gaithersburg". A similar comment was posted to this blog attacking CASA de Maryland and stating that it will be the "end of civilization" if the One Gaithersburg slate wins.

Fortunately, one can find out more about all of the candidates at their websites at the Gaithersburg City website. There are printed and video candidate statements online. One can also view the voter guide in .pdf format online. Several candidates have website: Jud Ashman and Cathy Drzygula have a joint website. Wilson Lee Faris has one for by himself as do Ryan Spiegel. I'm still looking for the others.