Tuesday, July 13, 2010

O'Malley, Leggett Endorse Craig Rice for Council

Governor Martin O'Malley and County Executive Ike Leggett have endorsed Delegate Craig Rice (D-15) for the District 2 (Upcounty) County Council seat. Following is Rice's press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 13, 2010
Contact: Steven Goldstein, 240-393-0200

O’Malley and Leggett endorse Craig Rice for County Council

Rockville, Maryland – Noting Delegate Craig Rice’s commitment to protecting his constituents in the Upcounty, his quest for greater fiscal accountability and his tireless advocacy for Montgomery County as a whole, Governor Martin O’Malley and County Executive Ike Leggett today endorsed his campaign for the Montgomery County Council, District 2. Rice, a resident of Germantown, currently represents Montgomery County in the Maryland General Assembly.

“In Annapolis, Craig has been adamant about creating measures that ensure the economic vitality, health, safety and educational prosperity of Maryland residents,” said Governor O’Malley. “He has committed himself to safeguarding the quality of life we share and leaving his community a better place for our children and generations to come.”

“Craig’s exceptional leadership experiences and keen insight of fiscal matters can help us better address the County’s budgetary challenges” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “Delegate Rice is exactly the type of leader our community needs on the Council.”

Rice led the fight in his Ways and Means committee to protect Montgomery County from a bill that would have bankrupted the county by shifting the costs of teacher’s pensions to local jurisdictions. And he passed a Governor initiative, through his subcommittee, which encouraged businesses to hire recently unemployed Maryland workers, resulting in hundreds of newly hired employees.

“I ran for State office because I wanted to make sure that our citizen’s voices were heard,” said Rice. “This year in Annapolis, I helped protect our county from cuts - but the real battle is still ahead. I am in this race because our community needs experienced and proven leadership that will work together with the other members of the council, with our State Delegation and with our county stakeholders, in the fight to protect the way of life we have grown to love.”

Before being elected to the legislature, Rice served on the Villages of Town Center (Germantown) Board of Directors from 2003-2005, and was a member of the Montgomery County Victims Services Advisory Board from 2004 – 2006. He is the currently a member of Germantown Alliance and is on the Board of Directors for Youth Achieve, the Maryland India Business Roundtable and Future Link.

Delegate Rice serves in the House of Delegates on the powerful Ways and Means committee representing District 15. He was elected in 2006 to a 4-year term that concludes in January 2011. District 15 includes the majority of Northwestern Montgomery County.

“I’m excited about my campaign and what we’ve been able to accomplish so far. We’ve reached out to hundreds of residents, business owners, community leaders, developers and activists who’ve pledged their support. And I’m ready to continue discussing the issues and concerns of our Montgomery County residents, determining ways to help our County maintain its status as a great place to live and work. I’ve got the courage to act and the vision to lead and I am confident that my collaborative skills, passion, energy, accessibility and experience will serve our County well,” says Rice.

Rice has received the endorsements of MCEA, SEIU, GCAAR, HOUSING PAC and Montgomery County-NOW exemplifying the broad base of union, business, non-profit, and progressive support he has received.

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