District 18 Team Kicks Out the Jams

Last night, the District 18 Democratic Team held its first slate fundraiser of this cycle. And what a night it was! Seventy-seven people signed up as co-hosts, nearly 100 people came to the event and total donations came close to $10,000.

The all-star cast of attendees included Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Senate President Mike Miller, House Environmental Matters Committee Chair Maggie McIntosh (D-43), Labor Secretary Tom Perez, Delegates Brian Feldman (D-15), Bill Frick (D-16), Tom Hucker (D-20) and Saqib Ali (D-39), County Council Members Valerie Ervin, George Leventhal and Marc Elrich, former Senator Sharon Grosfeld (D-18), former House Majority Leader John Hurson (D-18), Town of Kensington Mayor Pete Fosselman, Town of Chevy Chase Mayor Kathy Strom, Town of Chevy Chase Council Members Linna Barnes and Rob Enelow and MCDCC Members Alan Banov, Vic Weissberg and Marc Korman. This was the ultimate see-and-be-seen event in the district!


Senate President Mike Miller, Senator Rich Madaleno, Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher and Delegate Al Carr.


Holy Cross Hospital’s Eileen Cahill (in lavender), former Forest Estates Community Association President Shawn Marie Jarosz (talking to Cahill), anti-Intersection of Death activist and lucky Jarosz husband Jon Tucker (next to Jarosz), Forest Glen Station President Catherine Bocskor (in brown with handbag) talking to Labor Secretary Tom Perez.


The gigantic crowd included Political Pulse host Charles Duffy, Delegate Brian Feldman (D-15), Delegate Bill Frick (D-16), Delegate Tom Hucker (D-20), MCAD hellraiser Beverly Sobel, MCGEO Executive Director Bob Stewart and at-large County Council Member Marc Elrich.


The Senate President meets the Slate Treasurer!


MCEA Political Director Jon Gerson and Delegate Brian Feldman (D-15), Montgomery’s House Delegation Chairman.


The formidable Carole Brand, Chair of the District 18 Democratic Team. Carole is on a first-name basis with almost everyone who walked in the front door.


Superstar Labor Secretary Tom Perez represented the Governor.


Senate President Mike Miller jumped off an airplane and raced to the event from BWI. We appreciated his presence enormously.


House Environmental Matters Committee Chair Maggie McIntosh (D-43) came all the way from Baltimore to praise her former staffer – Rich Madaleno – and the rest of the slate, as well as to remember the great Jane Lawton.


Before Chris Van Hollen saved America from the acolytes of George W. Bush, he was a Delegate and Senator from District 18. He is the role model for everyone holding or seeking office in the district. “District 18 citizens are the best!” declared the Congressman.


Senator Rich Madaleno with his most important constituent, Katie Madaleno-Hodge.


The state’s first openly gay legislator and the state’s first Latina legislator (Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez) have been a team since 2002.


Could they be talking about Saqib Ali’s Facebook page?


Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher, Barrie Carr and famous progressive activist Mike Hersh.


Yup, this is what a full house looks like folks!

We do not normally cover fundraisers on this blog, but we made an exception for this one for two reasons.

First, this is the only slate fundraiser in Montgomery County so far in this cycle. The District 18 team is sticking together and running as a group. We will see if any other delegations attempt to follow suit.

Second, Maryland’s legislative district design puts the emphasis on teamwork for delegation members to be effective. Every district has one Senator and three Delegates (with occasional sub-districts allocated for a Delegate or two). Every legislator is assigned to a different committee. Disagreements inside delegations often occur. But on issues that are important to district residents, these legislators must cooperate. By joining forces, raising money together and sharing resources, delegation members not only help themselves but also maximize their leverage in Annapolis for the benefit of their constituents. Rich Madaleno, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Jeff Waldstreicher and Al Carr are clearly committed to this model.

Disclosure: The writer is the Treasurer of the District 18 Democratic Team.