Showing posts with label Craig Rice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Craig Rice. Show all posts
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Craig Rice: Thank You, but Beware of Ficker
Council District 2 Democratic primary winner Craig Rice has sent a thank you message to his supporters that pays respect to his Democratic opponents. But Rice also has a warning: don't get complacent because Robin Ficker is his general election opponent. Following is Rice's email.
Thank you for your support!
Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors,
First, let me say thank you. It is because of the support of you and my fantastic campaign team that exactly one week ago at this time, we received the final election numbers confirming I had prevailed in my election. I would also like to thank Sharon Dooley, Royce Hanson, Charles Kirchman and Eddie Kuhlman for taking part in seeking the Democratic nomination. It is a tremendous sacrifice to run for office and they should be applauded for their quest and running spirited campaigns. And special thanks go out to Eddie Kuhlman, who has offered his support to ensure a victory in the general election.
But our work is not over. I face a formidable opponent whom we all know or have heard of...Robin Ficker. I am sure he will try everything from distorting the truth, to rumor and conjecture, to defeat me. I will need your help to ensure, now that I am the Democratic nominee, we prevail in November.
You can help right away by contributing to the campaign. Any amount will help to get our message out early and often. Please log onto my website www.craigrice.org and click on the donate page.
In addition, I would love to have you walk with me as I continue to crisscross District 2, continuing to talk to voters and identify ways that the council can make Montgomery County the best place to live and work. If you would be able to volunteer for door knocking or phone banking, please contact Sharon St. Pierre at Stpierre619@verizon.net or 240-938-1309.
Also, please let me know if you would like a "Craig Rice for County Council" yard sign. We will deliver it right to your door. Just let us know you'd like one at my website: www.craigrice.org.
Again, I can't thank you enough for your support, your vote and your prayers. And please don't forget I will need you again in the general election in November. I hope to see you on the campaign trail.
Warm regards,
Craig
By authority of Citizens for Craig Rice, Vivian Rice, Treasurer
Monday, September 13, 2010
Craig Rice: Royce Hanson's Getting Desperate
Council District 2 candidate Craig Rice sent out the following email about rival Royce Hanson yesterday.
Royce Hanson's getting desperate...
Dear Friends,
There are only 2 days until the primary election and one of my opponents is getting desperate. He's sent out 3 mailers trying to frame me as "mortgaging my campaign to special interests" while touting the majority of his contributions come from individuals.
The "special interests" he's referring to are groups like our hard-working firefighters and police, teachers, bus drivers and cafeteria workers who each have contributed to my campaign. In fact, he sought all of their endorsements and if he had been endorsed by them, they would have contributed to his campaign instead.
So is this sour grapes, or is Royce so principled that he wouldn't take money from these so-called "special interests?"
Well, in a taped interview with the League of Women Voters, that question was asked. And Royce Hanson said "I'm happy to receive contributions from anybody who wants to contribute to my campaign. I take the same position that Abraham Lincoln did. I'll walk with the devil if he's going in my direction."
See the video for yourself here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxmBXTtFmLI
Why is it ok for Royce to take money from anyone (including the devil), but not me? Sounds like old-school politics are afoot.
It appears Royce Hanson will just about say anything and mislead you to get into office. Do you want someone like Royce that will mislead you or someone like me who is endorsed by the hard-working men and women of this County, someone that will answer to YOU?
Vote Craig Rice for County Council, District 2 on Tuesday, September 14th and tell Royce Hanson he can't trick you into voting for him.
By authority: Citizens for Craig Rice, Vivian Rice, Treasurer
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Royce Roasts Rice
To be fair, former Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson has a lot to say in this mailer other than just tweaking fellow Council District 2 candidate Craig Rice over his campaign contributions. But can you really blame us for coming up with a blog post title that NOBODY can repeat ten times in a row?
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Primaries to Watch V, Part One
By Marc Korman and Adam Pagnucco.
Marc
A major fundraising report is in, the Washington Post has given its blessings from atop the mountain, mailboxes are filling up, and people who do not read this blog are finally starting to pay attention. So it is time for another installment of “Primaries to Watch.”
The problem with a list like this is it rewards bad behavior. The relatively tame District 14 and 17 State Senate challenges are not as fun to watch next to the madness of the District 16 or 19 Delegate races or the increasing nastiness of District 19 or 39 State Senate. But these races are supposed to be interesting, so here goes.
10. Hopkins vs. Berliner
Previous Rank: #10
Marc
Hopkins is hitting Berliner harder and harder through her mass emails, really taking it to him on one of his strongest issues, energy. She has attacked his loan program for home improvements, his public comments on Pepco, and his passage of a carbon tax. But it is probably too late to really change the overall momentum of the campaign. Hopkins does not have much presence outside of her geographic base of East Bethesda where she will likely do well. Berliner retains all the advantages of incumbency including a fundraising edge and most endorsements.
The Gazette endorsement is a nice feather in Hopkins’ cap and if she is thinking about her political future, she should figure out how to use big endorsements and other attributes from losing campaigns a la Laura Berthiaume (she got the Gazette in her 2006 Delegate race and later was elected to the School Board) or Ryan Spiegel (he got the Post in his 2006 Delegate race and later was elected to the Gaithersburg City Council).
More likely, Hopkins will spend the next few weeks continuing to hammer pretty hard at Berliner and try to pull out an unlikely win.
Full disclosure, I donated to Berliner in 2008 and serve on the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board with Hopkins.
Adam
Ilaya Hopkins had a lot of potential at the beginning of this race, but Berliner has totally overwhelmed her. He has run a classic incumbent campaign of reporting early money, rolling up lots of endorsements, taking the high road as she has gone negative and using his status as an incumbent to get into the Washington Post on the Pepco issue. This contest stopped being competitive when Berliner got on the Apple Ballot and now none of our informants believe Hopkins will win. She has to be kicking herself for missing out on the District 16 open seat. Hopkins would have been one of the favorites in that race.
The fact that we still have this contest at number ten illustrates how bored we are by the District 15 and 39 House primaries. Those races are midget wrestling compared to the titanic King-Ali and Lenett-Manno cage matches.
9. Council 2 Open Seat
Previous Rank: #9
Marc
There are five candidates in the race, but this one is really a three-way contest between Delegate Craig Rice, former Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson, and civic activist and prior candidate Sharon Dooley.
The stars may be aligning for Rice. He has the financial edge, strong endorsements, and is apparently the only candidate doing serious door knocking. Still, Hanson should have some latent name ID and people should be impressed by his experience. Dooley will be the only woman in the primary and has garnered substantial votes in the District before.
The winner here will face a spirited race against Robin Ficker, making this one of the more serious fall contests in the County.
Full disclosure, I have been doing some volunteer work for Craig Rice.
Adam
Craig Rice is now the favorite. He has the edge over Royce Hanson and Sharon Dooley in money, endorsements and prior electoral performance. Hanson last ran for office in 1978 (losing a Democratic County Executive primary to Charlie Gilchrist) and has half of Rice’s cash on hand. Dooley was crushed by incumbent Mike Knapp in 2006 and hasn’t changed much since then. She has almost no money. Rice worked very hard to beat popular Republican incumbent Delegate Jean Cryor in the last cycle and his Legislative District 15 precincts accounted for about 40% of the votes cast in Council District 2 in 2006. Additionally, MCEA will knock itself out on poll coverage in this district because Rice could be a swing vote on budget issues. All of this puts Rice over the top.
More tomorrow!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Craig Rice and Sharon Dooley on "Political Pulse" on Ch. 16 TV in MoCo
Craig Rice and Sharon Dooley, who are running in the Democratic Primary for County Council in District 2 will be on the "Political Pulse" TV Show on:
Thurs, August 19th, at 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sun, August 20th-22nd, at 6:00 p.m. and
Tues, August 24th, at 9:30 p.m.
Political Pulse is on Montgomery Municipal Cable in Montgomery County.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Mike Knapp Endorses Craig Rice
Outgoing Upcounty Council Member Mike Knapp has endorsed Delegate Craig Rice (D-15) as his successor. Following is Rice's press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2010
Contact: Steven Goldstein, 240-393-0200
Knapp endorses Craig Rice
Rockville, MD – At an intimate meet-and-greet event in the offices of Loiderman Soltesz Associates, Mike Knapp quelled rumors and publicly and formally endorsed Craig Rice for the County Council seat representing District 2. It had been speculated whether Knapp would actually endorse a successor and apparently wanted to wait until the field of candidates was clear.
“When you look at the council and the folks that are running…I think it’s going to be very important to take someone with Craig’s background in Annapolis and consider his ability to listen to the folks he represents…and that, is what distinguishes him from the rest of the field,” said Knapp. “When you look at this race, there are four opportunities for it to go in the wrong direction and one opportunity for it to go in the right direction and that is this gentleman right here, Craig Rice,” Knapp continued. “He represents the future of Montgomery County and with him on the Council, we will continue to move Montgomery County forward.”
County Executive Ike Leggett, who endorsed Rice along with Governor Martin O’Malley, was in attendance, and sang Rice’s praises as well. “I look at Craig as a Stephen Strasburg,” said Leggett. “We have the opportunity to bring in a young guy with tremendous talent and a bright future, or we can turn back the clocks. I’m betting on Strasburg and that’s why I want Craig Rice on the County Council.”
Rice has tallied a landslide of endorsements including the executive branch of MD Government, nearly all State Delegates and Senators and almost every group that has endorsed candidates including SEIU, MCEA, B-CC Chamber, GCAAR, Progressive MD, NOW-Montgomery County, AFL-CIO, ATU Local 689, Montgomery County Youth Slate, and the Housing PAC of Maryland.
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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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Monday, July 12, 2010
Primaries to Watch IV, Part One
By Marc Korman and Adam Pagnucco.
Marc
Adam Pagnucco has been temporarily dragged out of retirement for another installment of Primaries to Watch. With the filing deadline behind us, the races are set for the September 14th primary.
Adam
Look folks, I am just as unhappy with the lack of mainstream media coverage of our council and state legislative primaries as you are, so I am going to help Marc with this series just this once. If there are any typos in my commentary, it means the Little Man has poured milk onto the keyboard. Off to the Top Ten most interesting primaries in MoCo!
Marc
Off the list:
District 39 Delegate Open Seat - There’s still plenty of action in District 39, but with Shane Robinson racking up endorsements, Bob Hydorn strong in Montgomery Village and the incumbents working hard, this is the calmest of the open Delegate seats. We only have ten slots and District 39 Delegate just does not make the cut.
10. Hopkins vs. Berliner
Prior Rank: #10
Marc
Ilaya Hopkins’ biggest coup since our last installment was securing the endorsement of Doug Duncan, still a strong name among Democratic primary voters. Berliner has taken Hopkins’ challenge seriously and they are both working the district hard. So far, the two have met for one debate which depending on who you talk to was a resounding victory for both candidates.
Berliner has done a good job of reminding folks about some of the good things he has done and has lined up lots of community support, got the Apple Ballot, and most recently was endorsed by the Washington Post. Hopkins has not needled Berliner as sharply as she probably needs to on some of his weak spots. She has the hot summer at door steps and at least two more debates to do so. As with most races, the next big milestone in this one will be the campaign finance reports. Hopkins is knocking on doors, but will she have the resources to compete with Berliner at the mailbox?
Full disclosure, I donated to Berliner in 2008 and serve on the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board with Hopkins.
Adam
Roger Berliner has run a classic incumbent campaign. First, he locked up a huge district resident supporter list a month before challenger Ilaya Hopkins announced. Next, he showed a cash balance of nearly $100,000 in his January campaign finance report. Then he began rolling out waves of endorsements. All of this persuaded MCEA to put him on the Apple Ballot because they figured he was going to win.
Ilaya Hopkins is not a bad candidate. To the contrary – she was one of the district’s most prominent civic activists and had a good deal of potential six months ago. But there’s nothing that most challengers can do when an incumbent without an obvious problem executes the above strategy as well as Berliner has. A challenger in Hopkins’ position has three choices: withdraw, run a polite campaign with an eye on the future, or go negative in a long shot to win. Hopkins appears to have picked the third option as she has hit Berliner again and again and even went after one of his supporters on her website. Adding to Hopkins’ problems is the impending mail barrage by District 16 Delegate candidates that will bury her literature under piles of other candidates’ pieces. Now that the Post has endorsed Berliner, this race is almost over.
9. Council District 2 Open Seat
Prior Rank: None
Marc
District 2 has seen a lot of action the past few weeks. The district went from a rematch between Sharon Dooley and Mike Knapp to a face-off between Delegate Craig Rice and Dooley, his former supporter. Now the race has been shaken up by the entry of two-time former Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson.
Each candidate has their strengths. Dooley has run for the seat before and knows the district well. Rice won a tough election in 2006 and picked up a lot of institutional support before Hanson got into the race, including the Apple Ballot. Hanson has some name ID, will have no trouble raising money, won the Post’s endorsement and will be an ace on development issues.
Now the weaknesses. Dooley may have topped out in the “slow growth” year of 2006 with around 35%. Rice won in 2006 on a Democratic wave and had poor fundraising. Hanson has not run for office since the 1960s and may not be prepared for a grassroots, door to door campaign.
Watching this one shake out will be great fun for political junkies all summer. One key issue will be whether Hanson comes off as a responsible, experienced voice or someone bitter and dismissive of his former bosses on the County Council.
Full disclosure, I donated to Rice’s Delegate campaign.
Adam
Royce Hanson is the most intriguing candidate in the county. He has not run for office since he lost to Charlie Gilchrist in the 1978 County Executive Democratic primary. Hanson is a living legend: the father of the Ag Reserve, the inventor of many of the county’s planning tests and procedures and arguably the leading advocate of smart growth (though some disagree over how that is defined). But there are so many questions. Will Hanson hit the doors? Where will his fundraising come from? What will his message be? What does he believe about non-land use issues? If he is elected, how will he get along with a County Executive and a County Council that he frequently disagreed with as Planning Chair? Will any of the county officials with whom he fought try to block him from being elected?
Delegate Craig Rice is a good campaigner with lots of endorsements. His state Legislative District (15) accounts for at least a third of Council District 2. But he is not a great fundraiser, does not know nearly as much about the county as Hanson and the candidacy of Poolesville Commission President Eddie Kuhlman could peel away some District 15 votes. Rice will have to work hard to beat Hanson. Sharon Dooley is a veteran civic activist who works hard for her community and on behalf of progressive causes. She has always had trouble raising money and now Hanson’s candidacy threatens to draw away a great deal of her environmentalist support.
More tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Planet Earth Endorses Craig Rice
OK, maybe not, but it sure seems that way. Here is his supporter list (which does not include institutions like MCEA and SEIU).
County Council Support:
• Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Floreen, Council President
• Montgomery County Councilmember Valerie Ervin, Vice-President, District 5
• Montgomery County Councilmember Mike Knapp, District 2
• Montgomery County Councilmember George Leventhal, At-Large
State Wide Support:
• Comptroller Peter Franchot
• Attorney General Doug Gansler
• Senator Rob Garagiola, District 15
• Delegate Brian J. Feldman, District 15 - Chair, Montgomery County House Delegation
• Delegate Kathleen Dumais, District 15
• Delegate C. William Frick, District 16
• Delegate Susan C. Lee, District 16 - Vice-Chair, Montgomery County House Delegation
• Senator Jennie Forehand, District 17
• Delegate Kumar Barve, District 17 - House Majority Leader
• Delegate James W. Gilchrist, District 17
• Senator Rich Madaleno, District 18
• Delegate Al Carr, District 18
• Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez, District 18
• Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher, District 18
• Delegate Tom Hucker, District 20
• Delegate Sheila Hixson, District 20
• Delegate Charles E. Barkley, District 39
• Delegate Kirill Reznik, District 39
Municipalities:
• Mayor Peter Fosselman, City Of Kensington
• Mayor Sidney Katz, City of Gaithersburg
• Mayor Jeffrey Z. Slavin, Town of Somerset
• Gaithersburg City Councilman Ryan Spiegel
Community Leaders:
• Craig Zucker, Candidate for Delegate, District 14
• Eric Bernard, Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association*
• Marilyn Balcombe, Germantown Community Leader
• Adam Leucking, CEO, Results Leadership Group*
• Marcie Goodman, Bully PoliceUSA*
• Kelli Nelson, Community Advocate for Developmentally Disabled Community*
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
SEIU Local 500 Makes Council, School Board Endorsements
Shortly after SEIU's Maryland and D.C. State Council made endorsements for state legislators, SEIU Local 500 (which represents school support staff and adjunct professors) released their county office endorsement list. Many of their incumbent endorsements were expected. The newsworthy endorsements are incumbent Roger Berliner in District 1 (who is batting one thousand on this measure), Craig Rice in District 2 and Hans Riemer, who is challenging at-large. Incumbent at-large member Nancy Floreen also earned an endorsement. Following is their press release.
SEIU Local 500 Announces Montgomery County Endorsements
GAITHERSBURG, MD (June 22) – SEIU Local 500 announced its endorsements of candidates for the Montgomery County Council and Montgomery County Board of Education today.
For election to the Board of Education, SEIU Local 500 has endorsed Patricia O'Neill, Judy Docca, Mike Durso, and Shirley Brandman. SEIU Local 500 members chose to endorse Roger Berliner, Craig Rice, Nancy Navarro, and Valerie Ervin in their respective district-wide county council races. In the at-large county council race, Local 500 endorses incumbents Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, and George Leventhal, and challenger Hans Riemer.
“In a difficult year, Local 500 is supporting leaders who value the contributions of Local 500 members, who educate and support the needs of students and persons with disabilities throughout Montgomery County,” said Mary Belin, MCPS supporting services staff member and chairwoman of SEIU Local 500’s COPE committee. “We are proud to support long-time friends of Local 500 members and those they serve, as well as challengers, who we believe will bring fresh ideas and principled leadership to the county.”
“Local 500 members play a critical role in education and community service throughout Montgomery County and the region,” explains Merle Cuttitta, president of SEIU Local 500. “We are invested in the political process in order to ensure that the services we provide are properly funded and understood as essential to the success of our county and region. Naturally, we support candidates who are pro-education and pro-working families. Local 500 members are committed to ensuring their election this fall and we look forward to working with these leaders in the coming years. Though they will undoubtedly be challenging ones, we believe this group is suited to meet those challenges and bring all the county’s stakeholders together to find acceptable solutions.”
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Service Employees International Union Local 500 represents 18,000 women and men working in child care and education, and in service to communities and the public interest in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Craig Rice Schedules Council Campaign Kickoff
Delegate Craig Rice (D-15) has scheduled his campaign kickoff for the Upcounty District 2 seat for next Wednesday. Following is his announcement.
You are cordially invited to the
County Council Campaign Kickoff of Craig Rice
Wednesday, June 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Please join
Peter and Leigh Henry, Hosts
Judith Clark, Women Who Care Ministries, Inc., Host
House Majority Leader Kumar Barve
Montgomery House Delegation Chair Brian Feldman
Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen
Montgomery County Council Vice President Valerie Ervin
at
Cafe Mileto
18056 Mateny Road
Germantown, Maryland
Please rsvp at info@craigrice.org or www.craigrice.org
*Donations will be accepted
By Authority: Citizens for Craig Rice, Vivian Rice, Treasurer
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Craig Rice Announces for Council District 2
Delegate Craig Rice (D-15) has announced his intention to run for Council District 2 (Upcounty), which incumbent Mike Knapp is vacating. Rice has already earned a spot on the Apple Ballot. Following is his press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2010
Contact: Rebecca Smondrowski, 301-325-6246
Rice Announces Bid for County Council
GERMANTOWN, Md. – Maryland State Delegate Craig Rice has declared his candidacy for Montgomery County Council representing District 2. Rice, a resident of Germantown, currently represents upper Montgomery County in the Maryland General Assembly.
“Craig is one of the bright young talents in the Maryland legislature,” said House Speaker Michael E. Busch. And Rice plans to put that talent to use as the next District 2 representative of the Montgomery County Council. “In Annapolis, I have been adamant about creating measures that ensure the economic vitality, health, safety and educational prosperity of Montgomery County residents,” says Rice. “While I have relished my time in Annapolis, seeing the challenges our County faces made me realize I want to be on the front lines, ensuring the way of life we love, is protected.”
Reflecting on his time in Annapolis, Rice says "I am greatful to have had the chance to work with and learn from so many amazing people. Among them, Senator Rob Garagiola, Delegate Brian Feldman, and Delegate Kathleen Dumais have been a great team to work with. I have learned so much from them and my ability to put that knowledge to work has made my time in Annapolis an invaluable experience."
Rice will use his four years of experience in the Maryland House of Delegates to help create new measures to address the County’s budget deficit. One such proposal would explore rewarding departments that find ways to permanently cut their administrative expenses, with year-end salary increases tied to a percentage of the savings they achieve.
Meeting with leaders, regardless of political affiliation and across county and State lines, he is working to identify other innovative methods to strengthen our county’s fiscal health.
Before serving in the House, Rice worked for Marriott International and Aramark Corporation and served as a business development manager for the Puerto Rican Government. In Annapolis, he serves on the Ways and Means committee as well as the Montgomery County Delegation’s Land Use and Transportation committee. His experience with those entities will undoubtedly serve him well in a County Council role.
“I’m looking forward to this campaign and I am ready to continue discussing the issues and concerns of our Montgomery County residents, helping our County maintain its status as a great place to live and work.”
Rice’s campaign kickoff will be announced shortly and his 3rd Annual family fun day is being held on July 10th. Both events will include key local Democratic leaders as well as representatives from the business, education, public safety, labor, and nonprofit communities.
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Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Craig Rice - A Strong Candidate for Council District 2
By Marilyn Balcombe.
Craig Rice is an ideal choice for District 2 Councilmember. He is smart, savvy, and he knows the Upcounty. As a State Delegate in District 15 he has a firm understanding of Germantown, Poolesville, Darnsetown and the Ag Reserve. Working closely with his colleagues in the other Upcounty Districts he also knows Montomgery Village, Damascus, and Olney.
Craig Rice also brings with him his significant State experience. This is a crucial time for Rockville and Annapolis to be working together. The County needs someone on the County Council who knows how to work with our State Legislators.
But most importantly for me, Craig Rice will be able to strongly represent District 2 on the Council. I am well known for having a chip on my shoulder about the Upcounty being the poor step-child with ONE representative north of Rockville. With only one of nine council members living and breathing our schools, roads, parks, neighborhoods, we have to fight for our fair share - even though we are half the geographic county and in the Census 2010 I'm sure we end up with much more than 1/5 of the population. We are unique in that the demographics of D2 match the demographics of the County. We are a richly diverse district with multiple strengths and many challenges.
Craig understands that. He sees it every day at his children's school, in his neighborhood, and at the local shopping centers. With his work as a State Delegate he has met with many of the residents in District 2. Craig Rice has been a legislator and a loyal public servant, and will hit the ground running.
District 2 needs someone with clout and someone who can work closely with the other 8 council members in a sane, peaceful way. We need to get beyond the bickering and do what is right for this County. Craig Rice will be an important part of the team.
Marilyn Balcombe is the Executive Director of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Rice Announces Exploratory Committee for County Council District 2
Delegate Craig Rice (D-15) sent us the following statement:
Adam, I have formed a Rice for County Council exploratory committee that is comprised of leaders from the business, religious, education, labor, public safety and non-profit sectors. We will take into account all of the factors surrounding a bid for the seat in District 2.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Council Member Craig Rice?
The HOTTEST new rumor circulating through the cloaked ranks of the spies is that District 2 (Upcounty) Council Member Mike Knapp will not be running for his current seat again and that Delegate Craig Rice (D-15) of Germantown will make a try for it. We asked Delegate Rice about this yesterday and here is his on-the-record quote:
“I have no comment at this time but will be able to address the question on Monday evening.”
Folks, this rumor has longer legs than Stacy Keibler!
If Rice ran for Rockville, that would be the biggest surprise so far in the 2010 election season. It also puts the question of Knapp’s future squarely on the table. He could be headed for big bucks in the private sector. He could also be running for a different office.
Like maybe… County Executive?
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