Brian Feldman, Susan Lee Endorse Manno for Senate

Montgomery County House Delegation Chair Brian Feldman (D-15) and Vice-Chair Susan Lee (D-16) have endorsed Delegate Roger Manno for the District 19 Senate seat. This is interesting considering that nearly the entire Senate leadership endorsed incumbent Senator Mike Lenett. Following is Manno's press release.

Manno Endorsed by Chair and Vice-Chair of Montgomery House Delegation


Silver Spring, MD - This morning, Delegates Brian Feldman (D-15) and Susan Lee (D-16), Chair and Vice-Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation, formally endorsed Delegate Roger Manno's candidacy for the Maryland State Senate.

Chairman Feldman stated: "Delegate Manno's principled leadership and work ethic were essential on several of the most important progressive issues debated in the General Assembly over the past 4 years. His work as Vice-Chair of our Delegation's County Affairs Committee helped the County address some extremely challenging issues, including those relating to joblessness, social justice, and small business."

Delegate Susan Lee, House Delegation Vice-Chair, also remarked: "Delegate Manno is a rare champion for those who's voice is not heard. From workforce and economic development issues, to health care, to transit funding, to senior protection issues, Delegate Manno has stood on principle to the ultimate benefit of our great County. His broad, inclusive, coalition-building focus and ability to effectively collaborate with other legislators should be a model for bringing people together in politics - and I wholeheartedly support him as our next State Senator."

As a freshman lawmaker, Delegate Manno's 2008 appointment as Vice-Chairman of the County Affairs Committee is extremely unique. The Committee deals with a myriad of local issues before the General Assembly that are of specific concern to Montgomery County. No other freshman legislator has been tapped to serve in such a leadership position in Montgomery County's House Delegation.

"Delegates Lee and Feldman have led our County through some of the most difficult economic times in history, and it has been an honor to work closely with them to protect and strengthen the County's position in the state," stated Manno. "Our work together continues next year as the State House and State Senate address the difficult challenges facing Montgomery residents, including health care measures, job and workforce development challenges, and educational measures for all of our residents."

Manno's collaborative work within the Delegation helped Montgomery County secure record funding for school construction and greater per-pupil funding from the state, including more than $44 million in State capital funds for Montgomery County projects in 2010, and an increase of $53 million for K-12 education to address our growing enrollment and needs. Manno also coordinated hearings for the Montgomery and Prince George's delegations in 2010 to examine WMATA transit challenges, identifying funding efficiencies and sustainable solutions for METRO ridership.

Manno's collaborative work with 19th District Delegates Hank Heller and Benjamin Kramer yielded creative transportation and land use solutions, including efforts with County Executive Isiah Leggett to save the 140-year old Willson Family Farm, Intercounty Connector (ICC) mitigation measures, and ongoing efforts to secure specific federal dollars for road and infrastructure improvements within the 19th District.

Manno's 2010 endorsements for State Senate include:

· State Delegate Henry “Hank” Heller
Leisure World’s 24-year incumbent State Delegate and Dean of the District 19 Delegation in Annapolis

· State Senator Leonard Teitelbaum (ret.)
Leisure World’s 20-year State Senator and State Delegate

· State Delegate Carol Petzold (ret.)
District 19’s 20-year State Delegate

· State Delegate Adrienne Mandel (ret.)
District 19’s 12-year State Delegate and current Commissioner at WSSC

· State Delegate Sue Hecht
Chair of the Maryland Green Caucus

· Montgomery County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin
Chair of the Education Committee

Progressive Maryland - NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland - Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats (CAPAD-MD) - Montgomery County Youth Slate - DC Building and Construction Trades Council (AFL-CIO) - Baltimore Building and Construction Trades Council (AFL-CIO) - Communications Workers of America (District 2, including 76 locals, AFL-CIO) - United Food and Commercial Workers Local 27 (CTW) - Asbestos Workers Local 24 (AFL-CIO) - Boilermakers Local 193 (AFL-CIO) - Bricklayers Local 1 of MD, VA & DC (AFL-CIO) - Plasterers’ & Cement Masons Local 43 (AFL-CIO) - Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 486 (AFL-CIO) - Road Sprinkler Fitters Local 669 (AFL-CIO) - Sheet Metal Workers Local 100 (AFL-CIO) - Sprinkler Fitters Local 536 (AFL-CIO) - Teamsters Local 311 (AFL-CIO) - Electrical Workers Local 24 (AFL-CIO) - Elevator Constructors Local 7 (AFL-CIO) - Iron Workers Local 16 (AFL-CIO) - Operating Engineers Local 37 (AFL-CIO) - IBEW Electrical Workers Local 26 (AFL-CIO) - Elevator Constructors Local 10 (AFL-CIO) - Iron Workers Local 5 (AFL-CIO) - Operating Engineers Local 77 (AFL-CIO) - Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 891 (AFL-CIO) - Painters District Council Local 51 (AFL-CIO) - Plumbers Local 5 (AFL-CIO) - Reinforced Rodmen Local 201 (AFL-CIO), Roofers & Waterproofers Local 30 (AFL-CIO) - Sheet Metal Workers Local 100 (AFL-CIO) - Sprinkler Fitters Local 669 (AFL-CIO) - Steamfitters Local 602 (AFL-CIO).