Disclaimer: I have not endorsed any candidate for this vacancy. But in the interest of openness and transparency I want to post things of interest for all to see. I have been contacting candidates asking for information about them to post here. So far, only Al Carr and Dana Beyer have done so. Maybe it is because they have run for elected office before and understand the process a bit better. Maybe others have not responded here because they don't know we exist. So if you are a candidate for the District 18 vacancy please leave a message and I will post it or leave your email and I will contact you privately.
Mier Wolf endorses Al Carr
Mier Wolf is a long-time activist in Chevy Chase, a former Mayor of the town, an early supporter of Chris Van Hollen as well as the late Jane Lawton. Here is his letter to the MCDCC on behalf of Al Carr.
Dear Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee,
I urge you to approve the appointment of Al Carr to replace Jane Lawton in the House of Delegates for District 18. This request comes in the midst of our great grief over Jane's untimely death. We all have our stories about working with Jane, a legendary community servant and friend to so many people. For me, we were local government colleagues for 25 years. We worked together on numerous projects including the building of the Leland Community Center and the opening of the Capital Crescent Trail, Georgetown Branch. I followed Jane as Chairman of the Town of Chevy Chase Council and later became our first mayor. Most recently I was chairman of Jane's House of Delegates campaigns in 2002 and 2006.
Since the requirement to replace Jane is upon you I wanted you to know how much I respect Al Carr and believe he should go to Annapolis in the House of Delegates on behalf of District 18. Al's government experience includes serving on the Kensington Council which has given him the opportunity to learn how municipalities are best governed and how those methods might be extended to other county jurisdictions Al is an environmnental advocate who convinced municipalities like ours to look for more efficient energy sources for our public lighting which we have done. Secondly, he is a consistent proponent of nurturing the Capital Crescent Trail. Furthermore, Al has the intellectual firepower to take on any other issue he chooses to pursue or to which he is a assigned to study. Finally, Al is a gentleman who listens to the points of view of others in formulating his positions on issues. His constituents would feel well listened to if Al were representing them in Annapolis.
It is heartbreaking for me to think that Jane will not be in Annapolis serving us, let alone how sad it is for her family and friends to have had her life end so soon. That's why I felt as a matter of conscience I should at least contact you to let you know that Al Carr would serve us with distinction in Annapolis in Jane's stead.
Thank you for your efforts in such an important time for our legislative district.
Sincerely,
Mier Wolf
James Browning Endorses Al Carr
James Browning was a candidate for Delegate in District 18 in 2006. He is a former Executive Director of Maryland Common Cause lobbying in Annapolis on behalf of progressive issues.
I write to express my support for Al Carr as Dist. 18's next Delegate. I had the privilege to run against Al for one of Dist. 18's House seats in 2006 and came away with enormous respect for his intelligence, dedication, and ability to be an effective advocate for all parts of the district.
In particular, I believe Al is the right person to help the District and Montgomery County as a whole with two of its biggest challenges--controlling development and improving public transportation. Al understands how the big picture fits with the minutiae when it comes to offering better transportation solutions. I believe he will also do a great job of recruiting legislators from other parts of the state to support progressive solutions which, due to party and geographic stereotypes in Annapolis, may not seem to be in their best interests, at first. Al is the messenger who will make sure that Dist. 18's message will be heard in Annapolis.
Sincerely,
James Browning
MCDCC Member Alan Banov supports Al Carr
Alan Banov has been a member of the District 18 Caucus since 1989 and a member of the Central Committee for five years. He lives in Kensington and was an active supporter of Al Carr in 2006. He is an employment lawyer in private practice in Silver Spring.
In a phone conversation, Alan told me there are five reasons why he supports Al Carr for Delegate: 1) he has the most relevant experience; 2) he has run for Delegate in the past, which means that he knows how to campaign and that he has already won votes from District 18 Democrats; 3) he has been an effective lobbyist for municipalities in Annapolis; 4) with Jane’s passing, the County Delegation needs another Delegate who understands the issues of local municipalities; and 5) based on his temperament, contacts, and experience, Al will probably work well and effectively with the other legislators in District 18, the County, and the State.
Martha Jones
Activist supporting Rollingwood incorporation
Among the candidates seeking this position, Al Carr is the best one to pick up the gauntlet and be prepared from the beginning. Al's experience is relevant to what is needed by those who are leaders in Annapolis. He has a quiet and effective way of working with people to bring them together to accomplish their goals. As a municipal official, in a district which has so many municipalities, he has experience with working with a constituency, a wide variety of agencies and governments, the Maryland Municipal League and the General Assembly. In addition to his government background, he has served in the precinct organization for the Democrats in District 18.
With a thorough working knowledge in the telecommunications field, Al has the tools to achieve success in his areas of interest more efficiently and effectively. Many of those interests parallel Jane's in promoting the environment, helping the Chesapeake Bay, helping communities become more "Green" and working on ways to reduce domestic violence and assist victims of domestic violence.
