Duchy Trachtenberg For?

In this pre-filing period, some are still making up their mind whether to jump in the political pool and in which race to take the plunge. Former one-term at-large County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is not just the object of speculation but clearly thinking about it.

Duchy has a long history of running for office in Montgomery County. In 2002, Duchy lost the general election for Council District 1 to Republican Howie Denis by 1.8% of the vote--Howie was the last Republican to serve on the County Council and had significant Democratic support. (Sidenote: GOPers would call Denis a RINO as they stand perplexed wondering at why they cannot win in MoCo.) Running at-large in 2006, Duchy came in third and secured one of the four Democratic nominations, easily won the general, and joined the County Council.

But in 2010, Duchy fell to fifth place in the Democratic primary and lost the nomination and her seat. Not only did newcomer Hans Riemer leap over her to take second place, Becky Wagner in sixth came much closer to beating Duchy than Duchy did to slipping past incumbent George Leventhal in fourth. Duchy launched a campaign for the Sixth Congressional District that lasted only a few months when she ended her "underdog" campaign on January 4, 2012 due to a recurrence of breast cancer.

Duchy is thinking again about running for something in 2014. She wrote top-drawer campaign consultant Joe Trippi a check for $9250 in December 2013 out of her state political account. I'm assuming it was not a Chanukah or Christmas gift. Duchy's last congressional report from April 2013 similarly showed a $12,000 payment to Trippi.

Her past interest in Congress suggests she--along with the rest of MoCo pols--may be waiting to see if Rep. John Delaney decides to enter the gubernatorial race. On the other hand, her last federal campaign finance report showed just $644 cash left while her state campaign account has a more impressive $122,575 so perhaps another county council race is in Duchy's future.

As John Gallagher reminded me after my last post, she cannot transfer more than $1000 from the state to the federal account. And the state report indicates no loans that would allow her to repay herself and then donate the money to her congressional account. If she ran for Congress, Duchy would need to tap into her own resources and her network, though her past problems with Maryland NOW may impede her efforts despite her long connection.
 
Duchy may have ambitions but she'd have to make many changes to her campaign and personal approach to win. As Adam Pagnucco outlined in his must-read dissection of her previous loss, she has a lot of fences to mend:

First, she alienated most of her supporters in 2006 – and not just in the unions – through her conduct as a Council Member. Second, she was unable to build a new base because of her ineffective staffing, failure to build relationships and non-existent constituent service. And third, she made very bad resource decisions during the campaign.

Adam's post is the number two Google hit for "Duchy Trachtenberg" on Google--another problem that Duchy will need to address if she runs.

UPDATE: Adam Pagnucco's post on why Duchy lost her reelection bid is now the #1 Google hit for "Duchy Trachtenberg" -- beating out the Maryland Manual.

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Duchy Finishes with $146k in the Bank

Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg has reported $145,965.97 in cash on hand in her campaign account as of 10/17/10. No other council-at-large candidate reported having more than $8,000. This means that Trachtenberg left about half of her January warchest unspent during the campaign.


Trachtenberg lost the fourth at-large spot in the primary to George Leventhal by just 3,981 votes. Since countywide mailings to regularly voting Democrats cost about $30,000-40,000 depending on how the targeting is set, Trachtenberg could have afforded another 3-4 mass mailings. Could they have saved her and sent Leventhal home?

We'll never know.

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MoCo Primary 2010: Duchy Trachtenberg Precinct Results

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By Local Area


By Race/Ethnicity

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MPW Reader Poll: Comeback Candidates

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MoCo Primary 2010: Council At-Large Precinct Results

Total Results (Including Absentees and Provisionals)


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By Race/Ethnicity

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Duchy Trachtenberg: Thank You

Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg sent out the following email to her supporters this morning.


Thank You

“Think where (wo) man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.”

-William Butler Yeates

Dear Friends:

I wanted to send you a short note from the heart to thank you for your support in the campaign that has now concluded. While we ultimately fell short of our goal, the core values and principles that we share remain as strong as ever.

Our most deeply held beliefs and concerns for this community precede this election and they will endure well beyond it. I can trace the arc of my commitment to social justice over many years of activism, grassroots organizing, advocacy and public service. I know this is something you and I share—our long-term, rock-solid dedication to empowering citizens and bringing about meaningful, lasting change.

It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve you on the County Council these past four years. When the going got tough — and believe me, it often did — I was sustained and strengthened by the knowledge that people like you believed in my mission and supported my agenda.

I consider myself fortunate to have represented you on the County Council, where I sought to change the conversation to be more inclusive, more fair and more representative of your concerns.

Thank you again — for everything.

Duchy

By the authority of Trachtenberg for County Council, Elaine A. Blong, Treasurer. voteduchy.org.

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Why Duchy Trachtenberg Fell

Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg is claiming to be a victim of the unions, blaming them for her defeat in the primary. But for all her many enemies, one person in particular did more to prevent her reelection than anyone else.

Duchy Trachtenberg herself.

It was May 9, 2008. The County Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, then comprised of Chairwoman Duchy Trachtenberg and Council Members Valerie Ervin and Phil Andrews, met to discuss breaking the county employees’ contracts. This was a prelude to the harder county budget battles that would come over the next two years, when the county’s deficits would hit the upper nine digits. Trachtenberg and Andrews wanted to cut two points from the employees’ cost of living adjustments (COLAs). Ervin disagreed. Hundreds of MCGEO members swarmed the room to watch, along with your author.

Ervin was in her element, reminding the crowd that she had been a member of their parent union and saw no need to cut their increases. Seeing Ervin with a group of union members is like seeing Tom Brady with a group of Boston schoolgirls, and the members cheered loudly. Andrews, with his customary smile and respectful tone of voice, explained that the county had budget problems and it was only fair for employees to contribute to the solution. After all, the County Executive had proposed breaking the property tax charter limit as part of his proposed budget. The MCGEO members booed, but they expected this from Andrews. He had been elected with labor support in 1998 and 2002 but had since strayed. More importantly, Andrews was civil, direct and non-confrontational. He was simply speaking his mind.

Then it was Duchy Trachtenberg’s turn. She was clearly flinching from the rock-star ovation given to Ervin and the flyers distributed by the union (which she later used in her 2010 campaign literature). Her voice shaking with cold melodrama, she lectured the crowd on her often-told story about her son’s schizophrenia and contended that the allegedly high labor costs of Maryland’s public employees had forced her to send him to New York for treatment. As a result, she said that she was sticking up for the truly needy – the people who were not union members.

The crowd took this as a horrible insult. Trachtenberg was blaming their greed for her inability to find in-state mental health care for her son. The reaction was one of deafening outrage. A man sitting directly to your author’s left rose to his feet, face red with fury. “I’m a single Dad and I’ve got five kids!” he yelled. “What about my kids?” Two women approached the dais from the right side, fists clenched, signs aloft and voices raised in anger. The whole room shook with pandemonium for several minutes as the county employees could not contain themselves. Trachtenberg could have used Phil Andrews’s argument, which was based mostly on numbers and delivered without rancor. But she had to make it personal.

This was Duchy Trachtenberg’s governing style: alienate people, blame them for it, and then claim to be the victim.

This pattern played out over and over again in her relationships with colleagues. Trachtenberg constantly feuded with them. Despite styling herself a women’s advocate, she tried to kill a 2008 domestic worker protection bill authored by George Leventhal and Marc Elrich because they did not consult with her prior to introducing it. Months later, when then-Council President Mike Knapp questioned a funding amount to be set aside for pensions, Trachtenberg complained to the Gazette that he was trying to “marginalize” her. Last year, Trachtenberg harshly condemned Nancy Floreen’s ascendancy to the Council Presidency, saying it was “political punishment of political opponents.” Of course, Trachtenberg’s real complaint was that a succession plan delivering her the Council Presidency had been disrupted by Floreen’s successful bid for the office. Finally, Trachtenberg even went after her chief benefactor, County Executive Ike Leggett, by comparing his administration to the KGB. It seemed that no one in Rockville was spared from Trachtenberg’s lash.

Additionally, Trachtenberg’s hypocrisy on a broad range of issues made it impossible for many people inside and outside government to tolerate her. Trachtenberg was hypocritical about ethics, justifiably raising questions about lobbyist-funded trips to Israel but then threatening to sue Maryland NOW to prevent them from discussing her handling of money as their Treasurer. Trachtenberg was hypocritical about public spending, telling county employees to tighten their belts right after missing three weeks of work while on a publicly-funded junket to Massachusetts. Trachtenberg was hypocritical about her relationships with unions, taking their money and support in 2006, then publicly disavowing them, then trying to get their support again through Progressive Maryland. Trachtenberg was hypocritical about campaign financing, telling Progressive Neighbors that she rejected development industry contributions after taking a $1,000 check from a Rockville commercial real estate construction company. And Trachtenberg was hypocritical about women’s issues, proclaiming herself their champion while refusing to support qualified female candidates for office.

This kind of behavior fueled a seething contempt for Trachtenberg that permeated the council building. On April 21, 2009, Trachtenberg became so annoyed with Council Member George Leventhal that she walked off the council dais during a vote – something that no one could recall having seen before. On April 23, we posted that story at 7 AM. Trachtenberg came into work, saw the post and threw an awful tantrum. We began receiving a steady stream of phone calls and emails describing her progress through the sixth floor as she wreaked havoc, slamming doors and “yelling at the top of her lungs.” We had heard of Trachtenberg’s temper before, but the fact that so many people were eager to feed us the details of her fury was remarkable. How profoundly had she offended them that they were so willing to tell us such things?

Trachtenberg lost her reelection bid for three reasons. First, she alienated most of her supporters in 2006 – and not just in the unions – through her conduct as a Council Member. Second, she was unable to build a new base because of her ineffective staffing, failure to build relationships and non-existent constituent service. And third, she made very bad resource decisions during the campaign.

We described those decisions in a post written the day before the election.

Our informants are baffled by Duchy Trachtenberg’s spending. She started the year with $289,198 – far more than any other candidate and mostly raised out-of-state in four-digit checks. Since then, she has spent more on tracking polls and consulting ($35,000) than she has on printing, direct mail and postage ($33,817). Contrast her printing, mailing and postage total to those of Senator Mike Lenett ($129,378) and Delegate Saqib Ali ($104,876), each of whom is running in a district that is one-eighth of the county. Trachtenberg’s ads in Bethesda Magazine, Washington Jewish Week, Leisure World News and Takoma Park Voice – purchased for a combined cost of just $7,230 – have been no substitute for the robust mail program she could have afforded. She has done just one mass mailing and was, incredibly, beaten to the mailbox by Becky Wagner.

As of August 29, Trachtenberg was sitting on $209,629 with just sixteen days left to spend it. Television could consume that amount of money rapidly, but we have seen no sign of any such ads. And it’s getting late – VERY late. Some sources are speculating that she is so sure of victory that she is saving the money for a County Executive run. Unless she has a grand strategy that has not shown up in her finance reports, she could very well be the richest loser in MoCo history.

Puzzled by this behavior, we consulted sources who had knowledge of Trachtenberg’s campaign strategy. One informant said she deliberately hired incompetent campaign staff because she did not want anyone to question her decision-making. Another speculated that Trachtenberg was convinced by her polling that she would win and was banking her money for a County Executive race. (Indeed, Trachtenberg told several spies she was interested in running for Executive in 2014.) Trachtenberg’s addiction to polling resembled the behavior of a nervous aircraft passenger flying through turbulence and constantly checking her watch. Regardless of the reasons, Trachtenberg’s ineptitude became clear in the final days of the election. She only sent out two mass mailers – far behind the mail totals of lesser-funded candidates – and seemed to rely primarily on illegal signs. Trachtenberg overestimated her support, coasted on name recognition and lost by a significant margin – all problems of her own making.

The Post wrote that the unions took out Trachtenberg. Despite their chest-beating, that is just not true. Labor promoted their endorsees, but that was about the sum total of their participation in the at-large primary. No one sent out a single piece of negative mail against Trachtenberg – not the unions, not the other candidates, not anyone. Compare that to what SEIU did to Prince George’s County Senators Nathaniel Exum and David Harrington. Only two MoCo candidates saw negative mailers from labor – District 14 Senator Rona Kramer and (surprisingly) District 39 Senate challenger Saqib Ali. In the meanest MoCo primary of all time, Trachtenberg was largely spared.

Even the complaint by the Fraternal Order of Police about Trachtenberg’s mishandling money at Maryland NOW could not have affected the election outcome because it came too late and never made it into physical print before the primary. The Post inaccurately stated that Trachtenberg was Treasurer of Maryland NOW four years ago. In fact, she stepped down from that position in late 2008 - during her term in public office. That error was repeated in the Post’s over-the-top editorial, an example of sloppiness feeding a pre-decided narrative in both the editorial office and the newsroom. The police and any other citizens have an absolute right to be concerned over the conduct of elected officials while they are in office. And the facts that Trachtenberg threatened to sue NOW if anyone discussed her tenure there with the media and that Maryland NOW had to rewrite their bylaws to make the Treasurer position more accountable after she left create reasonable grounds for raising the issue. The bottom line is that given the record above, Trachtenberg cannot claim to be a victim if there is no victimizer.

If Duchy Trachtenberg had Phil Andrews’s even temperament, Roger Berliner’s pragmatism and Marc Elrich’s dogged dedication to relationship building, she could have taken the same policy positions and not attracted so many enemies. And if she had used her campaign war chest to hire people with Hans Riemer’s campaign skills, she could have won. But instead, she is a case study for how not to serve on the council and how not to run for reelection.

And that is no one’s fault but her own.

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Duchy Trachtenberg's Last Appeal to the Voters

Following is a message Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg posted on her website on Monday. This was her final appeal to the voters explaining why she deserved a second term.

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I want to thank you for listening to me, talking to me, and sharing with me your concerns and priorities in this important election. I’ve always treasured the daily work of democracy, measured by my advocacy, diligence and consistent commitment to fairness, equity and social change. Elections are a highly visible platform for this effort, but my dedication and resolve is ongoing. I know that as an active citizen and steadfast Democrat, you share this determination and passion.

Tomorrow, Montgomery County Democrats have an opportunity to rise above the negativity and harsh rhetoric we’ve seen both here in our community and on a national level. The backlash against those of us who have dedicated our careers to public service, progressive values and making government work is disturbing to say the least—but I also see an opportunity to demonstrate the power and enduring appeal of our most deeply felt beliefs. I ask for your vote not just for my sake but for the principles that unite us as Democrats and guide us through these turbulent, historic times.

This County Council election matters to your well-being. The Council operates a $4 billion budget that serves 950,000 residents with schools, parks, medical clinics, shelters and police and fire services. As one of your four at-large council members, I am truly on the front lines of countless debates and decisions that will determine the future of our community.

I am proud of my record of speaking plainly, and standing up for your interests against the special interests. I believe the “Duchy difference” of integrity, independence and fiscal responsibility is the right approach for Montgomery County.

County Executive Ike Leggett said when he endorsed me, “This is not the time for on-the-job training …We need the best minds and the strongest leadership and people who are prepared to do what is right for Montgomery County regardless of the political consequences. And this is what we have in Duchy Trachtenberg. We cannot make a mistake because the challenges are too difficult.”

I’ve also been endorsed by various groups including the Sierra Club, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, Montgomery Women, the Montgomery County Business PAC, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce PAC, the Green Democrats and groups representing African-American, Asian American, Hispanic American and Caribbean American Democrats.

In its endorsement editorial, The Washington Post said that I was “the first of the at-large council members to sound the alarm on the county’s grave fiscal problems and has been a tough and consistent voice for trimming spending and budgeting responsibly. That took courage and she deserves re-election.”

I believe that the clock has finally run out on the fantasy that government can spend without consequence, or make budget policy without discipline. If we are to rein in spending and find a way to maintain essential services, the urgency of sober and serious fiscal planning is inescapable.

I do have some new goals for my second term besides maintaining fiscal discipline.

In my first term I helped create the Family Justice Center, a clearinghouse for victims of domestic abuse that in one year of operations has served more than 1,700 families from more than 100 countries. Sitting as the county health board, the council passed my regulation to ban trans fat in restaurants in the county, an important step to combat heart disease. And I passed legislation to begin to the cash and property seized from convicted drug dealers to be used for treatment programs.

In my second term, I would like to create a one-stop veterans service center in the county that would focus especially on our returning Iraqi and Afghan war veterans. And I will continue to work hard to create a mental health court so that victims of mental illness receive treatment when they mess up and not a jail cell.

We need to focus on creating and attracting jobs in the county especially along transit lines. So we need to fight hard for state and federal funding of the Purple Line and the Corridor Cities Transitway. We need to stay on top of the White Flint master plan and complete new plans in Wheaton and the East County area. We need to keep Silver Spring and Bethesda safe and prosperous.

We have to continue support our excellent school system and work closely with the school board to find savings without sacrificing quality in the classroom. And we cannot forget that many children and their families experience challenges that transcend the schoolhouse door and school-based services are not a luxury but a necessity if we are to provide every child with a strong education and equitable opportunities.

My commitment to what Robert Kennedy called “acts of courage and belief” have at times made me a lightning rod for those who seek to divide us through angry rhetoric and the politics of personal destruction. Of course, these attacks have not deterred or discouraged me in the slightest—but I am saddened by the cynicism and mean-spirited nature of these baseless attacks. I have defended my views with fervor and confidence—but the best way to counter negative campaigning is by a positive, enthusiastic vote for politics that puts people first.

That’s what I hope you will do tomorrow when you come to the polls.

I want to thank the many volunteers and supporters who have helped me in this campaign. And I especially want to thank the citizens of Montgomery County for your attention and respect. It is an honor to serve you.

Again, I ask for your vote on Tuesday.

Duchy

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Special Spy Report: Council At-Large

The County Council At-Large race may be the most unpredictable primary in the county. Over and over again, we have consulted our spy network for insights into how it will play out. But this time we are checking in with a truly special group of informants:

State legislative candidates.

Why are we asking them, do you ask?

First, perhaps even more than the council candidates, the folks running for state legislature are on the doors. They see who has signs up. They see what literature has been dropped. They attend many of the same events at which the council candidates show up – or don’t show up. And they hear who is being talked about and what is said. In the years between elections, the delegation and the council don’t know very much about each other. But right now, the political radar is up.

Second, politicians know politics. They can size up other candidates – their message, their logistical capabilities, their knack for the game – a lot better than can lay people. Asking politicians about other politicians is like asking bank robbers about lock picks.

Third, while some of the state legislative candidates have endorsed one or more council candidates, they are not truly invested in those choices. They are far enough removed to have a more impartial point of view of the council election than the council candidates or their supporters. Frankly, the delegation members assume that the council will be dysfunctional regardless of who gets elected!

That said, most of the state legislative candidates we asked about the council at-large race did not venture an opinion. They are QUITE busy now, as you might expect. But twelve of them did give us their take on a super-confidential basis. Some are incumbents and some are not. They come from all over the county. Here’s what they told us about which council at-large candidates will be elected.

State Spy #1:

Probably the four incumbents. The reason: the dead weight of inertia. If an incumbent loses I would say it would be Duchy. Hans is in the best position to take advantage of an opening because he comes from vote-rich District 20.

State Spy #2:

1st place will be Marc Elrich - for his caring, astute, in-depth analysis of every issue, he knows more about the issues before them than any other member. 2nd Nancy Floreen - President of the Council can’t hurt and she has worked with the community continually since on the council. 3rd George Leventhal - knows how to reach a consensus with Executive and council. 4th Becky Wagner - She was 5th until the NOW issue is forcing Duchy to the back of the pack. Becky is sharp, understands what is needed and how to get it.

State Spy #3:

I think right now that it’s Leventhal, Elrich, Riemer, Trachtenberg, in that order. Leventhal and Elrich have had good all-around campaigns, though Leventhal is weak on field and Elrich on mail. Riemer’s campaign has been strong all around, and he has rolled up a lot of vital endorsements. Trachtenberg squeaks in on incumbency and the Jewish vote, though for someone with as much money as her the campaign has been lackluster to say the least. My two cents: I think she’s so confident of re-election that she is saving her money for an Exec race in four years. There is no end to that woman’s ego...

State Spy #4:

1. George Leventhal - Has maximized incumbency to his advantage. High visibility over his 8 years in office and corresponding high name ID matters in low turnout races.

2. Marc Elrich - Won in 2006 without much institutional support. Marc has broadened his appeal over the past 4 years and has key institutional support this time around, including both the Post and the Apple Ballot.

3. Hans Riemer - The general dissatisfaction with the current Council will cause one incumbent to go down. With the Post and Apple Ballot endorsements and what looks like the best field operation/campaign amongst all the challengers, Riemer appears best positioned to capitalize.

4. Nancy Floreen - Stumbles to the finish line on the strength of high visibility serving this year as Council President and the other inherent advantages associated with having been an incumbent for 8 years.

State Spy #5:

Leventhal, Elrich, Riemer, Trachtenberg. As much of a tool as Leventhal is, he has a lot of support and it is pretty clear he is going to be first. Elrich also has a lot of support, as he has spent a lot of time in the last four years building grassroots support so that it would not take a lot of money to run for re-election. Riemer is a force of nature this year and frankly deserves it. I’m just guessing on the last one, but I don’t see Wagner knocking off Duchy, as much as I wouldn’t mind it.

State Spy #6:

George Leventhal - He publicly admitted regret about spending which is refreshing because voters don’t hear too often elected officials understanding their mistakes. Despite the “throw the bums out” feeling in the electorate, the challengers are a little lackluster. The Community Conversations over the summer were fairly popular and having mail in mailboxes before everyone else made him standout.

Marc Elrich - Has built the broadest coalition in the entire county. Not easy to do in a bad economy. When the teachers union, Post, developers and environmental groups support you, there's really no one else to go against you. People pay attention that he is everywhere in the county and genuinely listens to every point of view. Despite some disagreeing with his conclusions about various issues, everyone knows that his thought process is untainted.

Nancy Floreen - Knows how to consistently come in the top four. Her creative mailers get a few seconds of hesitation before they end up in the recycling.

Hans Riemer - The voters are going to want at least one new person. Becky Wagner is significantly more qualified and would be a great councilmember, but she’s a first time candidate going against some real pros. He is going to win because so many groups and elected officials are supporting his campaign and he has the field organization and mail plan to let every voting Democrat know it.

State Spy #7:

I would say Leventhal, Trachtenberg, Elrich, and it will be a close race for 4th between Wagner, Riemer, and Floreen. Definitely too close to call but I would say that Riemer pulls it out based on ground game.

I think that Trachtenberg and Leventhal win because of their incumbent status/name recognition. And though he has not sent many, Elrich’s mail is by far the best I have seen over here.

State Spy #8:

My two cents (which is all this is worth), is that Nancy, George and Marc will likely be reelected. I think the fourth will be Hans or Becky -- with an edge to Hans. Nancy is generally well liked and is seen on the “news” often -- so, despite the negative website and signs about her, I think she’ll be fine. For whatever reason, people like George and he campaigns very hard. He’s not my choice but he’s in touch with voters and I believe he’ll be reelected. I think Marc appeals to many people --- he comes across as honest and sincere, despite some recent criticism. As a newcomer, Hans is campaigning hard and is connecting with people. But I think Becky has come a long way in the past three weeks and has some traction.

State Spy #9:

The incumbents, because despite the anger towards and discontent in Rockville, I don’t think the voter anger is directed in a single direction. However, Duchy seems to be sitting on her huge campaign account and not sending out much mail. So, though I would bet a few dollars on the incumbents, I wouldn’t be too shocked if Riemer wins and Duchy loses.

State Spy #10:

Marc Elrich, because he’s calm and usually level-headed and may be the only grown-up on the Council

George Leventhal, because he’s everywhere--nobody loves his explosive personality but everybody respects his commitment

Duchy Trachtenberg--a serious legislator with a good sense of how to run and win, may finish 4th because of a late start

There will be a photo-finish recount between

Nancy Floreen--ubiquitous on the campaign trail but grating

And

Hans Riemer--who has targeted MoCo seniors very effectively with non-stop calls and mail about his AARP work which make him a real force in the race despite his failure to win the hearts of many local political activists

Leading to victory of Hans….

State Spy #11:

Being a pragmatist, I expect all four incumbents to return. All of them have significant bases of support and frankly no one has angered any of their base. While Duchy is sometimes irrational, the general public does not see it and they have no reason to vote against her. I was offended by her piece which bragged about how she beat up on the unions about the budget, but some people probably liked it.

Hans has run a fantastic campaign and he certainly has a great deal of support. If anyone can pull off an upset I think it is he, but I still think that it is a long shot.

State Spy #12:

Hans Riemer. Great field. Good mail. Has broad endorsements.

Becky Wagner. Has teachers and she is prominent in their mailers. Undercurrent of voter frustration against current council. She has tapped it.

Marc Elrich. No enemies. Has endorsements. For four years, has gone to events in all corners of the County. Of all at-large council members, I have seen him the most at various events. Has not really alienated business, has labor support, has environmental and civic group support. Will be low turnout election and many of his constituencies vote.

Slight edge to Leventhal over Floreen. I think both are seen as emblematic of problems with current council on multiple fronts. Though they have varying and good mix of endorsements, I have seen lack-luster campaigns that rely predominantly on mail and existing name recognition.

Duchy Trachtenberg is not going to win. Lackluster mail. Hardly at events throughout the county. She’ll do well in her corner of the county, but not very well in the rest of the county. I think she could have won had she run a stronger campaign. She did not frame for voters why she should get another 4 years. If her message is fiscal responsibility, no one knows it’s her message.

Our spies’ tally:

George Leventhal: 12 (unanimous)
Marc Elrich: 12 (unanimous)
Hans Riemer: 8
Nancy Floreen: 7
Duchy Trachtenberg: 7
Becky Wagner: 2

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County Employees Boo, So Vote for Duchy

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Hypocrisy NOW

Here’s a joint mailer by then-County Council challenger Duchy Trachtenberg and County Executive candidate Ike Leggett in 2006. The entire point of the mailer was to emphasize their endorsement by the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Trachtenberg’s leadership of their Maryland chapter. Note the strong statement of support from then-national NOW President Kim Gandy.





Trachtenberg’s NOW experience was a major factor in building her credibility with MoCo’s large progressive community and the 2006 mailer was smart to capitalize on it. This year, NOW has not endorsed Trachtenberg, but it has endorsed six other candidates for four at-large council seats. Perhaps that is because Trachtenberg has a standing threat to sue its officers if they dare to discuss her conduct as Maryland NOW Treasurer with the media. Given the allegations of exactly what went on while Trachtenberg was Treasurer, that threat is understandable. But it has destroyed a large part of the basis on which Trachtenberg was originally elected to her current office.

What a difference four years can make.

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Campaign Finance Fun Facts

Here’s a few tidbits from the immense State Board of Elections campaign finance database!

1. Marc Elrich has long disavowed development industry contributions and Duchy Trachtenberg told Progressive Neighbors that she was also turning them away. But Elrich took $3,000 from the Maryland Realtors PAC on 8/13/10 and Trachtenberg took $3,000 from them on the same day. Aren’t realtors part of the development industry since someone has to sell all those buildings the developers put up?

OK, reasonable people can disagree on that question, but Trachtenberg also took $1,000 on 5/11/10 from HBW Group of Rockville, a “commercial real estate and construction company.”


Now that is indisputably development money. So Trachtenberg snowed Progressive Neighbors and got away with it since they endorsed her. Do they have the balls to retract their endorsement or are they just going to lie down and get played?

2. Our informants are baffled by Duchy Trachtenberg’s spending. She started the year with $289,198 – far more than any other candidate and mostly raised out-of-state in four-digit checks. Since then, she has spent more on tracking polls and consulting ($35,000) than she has on printing, direct mail and postage ($33,817). Contrast her printing, mailing and postage total to those of Senator Mike Lenett ($129,378) and Delegate Saqib Ali ($104,876), each of whom is running in a district that is one-eighth of the county. Trachtenberg’s ads in Bethesda Magazine, Washington Jewish Week, Leisure World News and Takoma Park Voice – purchased for a combined cost of just $7,230 – have been no substitute for the robust mail program she could have afforded. She has done just one mass mailing and was, incredibly, beaten to the mailbox by Becky Wagner.

As of August 29, Trachtenberg was sitting on $209,629 with just sixteen days left to spend it. Television could consume that amount of money rapidly, but we have seen no sign of any such ads. And it’s getting late – VERY late. Some sources are speculating that she is so sure of victory that she is saving the money for a County Executive run. Unless she has a grand strategy that has not shown up in her finance reports, she could very well be the richest loser in MoCo history.

3. County Executive Ike Leggett and Marc Elrich have long been political allies even if they have had occasional disagreements. So Ike kicked in $2,500 to his campaign account on 8/19/10.

Well, just twelve days later, Elrich filed an affidavit to help 9:30 Club owner Seth Hurwitz obtain a temporary restraining order against Ike’s pet project, the Fillmore in Silver Spring. The Executive Branch was blindsided and immediately began investigating whether Elrich broke the ethics law by aiding a lawsuit against the county.

How’s that for gratitude? Is it too late for Ike to get his money back?

4. Speaking of the County Executive, he may not have a Democratic primary opponent or a slate, but he has given money to a number of candidates this year. They are:

Vanessa Atterbeary: $300 on 4/21/10 (given as an individual)
Bo Newsome: $6,000 on 7/8/10
Craig Rice: $3,000 on 7/12/10
Judy Docca: $1,000 on 8/2/10
Jay Hutchins: $1,000 on 8/3/10
Martin O’Malley: $4,000 on 8/10/10
Pat O’Neill: $1,000 on 8/11/10
Bonnie Cullison: $1,000 on 8/15/10
Marc Elrich: $2,500 on 8/19/10
Craig Rice: $250 on 8/22/10 (from Catherine Leggett)
Rona Kramer: $3,000 on 8/23/10
Mark Winston: $2,500 on 8/27/10
Bo Newsome: $250 on 8/29/10 (from Catherine Leggett)

One curiosity: A month after contributing to Atterbeary, Leggett endorsed the District 18 Democratic Team.

Another curiosity: Bo Newsome contributed $600 in “rent” to Leggett on 8/19/10.

5. Kyle Lierman reported having just $6,298 in the bank on 8/29/10. Ariana Kelly, his principal rival for the District 16 open Delegate seat, reported having $51,025. (That’s what self-financing can do for you!) Lierman had to replenish his coffers somehow, and we won’t find out how until after the election.

6. Senator Nancy King (D-39) paid $8,000 to Momentum Analysis of Washington, DC, the same polling firm that worked for Big Daddy’s tobacco-financed slate, on 8/12/10 as a “consulting fee.” The timing is interesting since the payment was made about two weeks before King launched her attack website against Ali. If this payment was indeed for a poll, did it say something that prompted King to go negative?

7. Here are the biggest recipients of campaign contributions (excluding loans) this year in MoCo.

Council Candidates
Hans Riemer: $171,392
Nancy Floreen: $146,838
George Leventhal: $111,338
Marc Elrich: $87,435
Craig Rice: $84,173

Senate Candidates
Nancy King: $116,105
Saqib Ali: $76,866
Brian Frosh: $54,623
Roger Manno: $53,769
Jamie Raskin: $51,251

Delegate Candidates
Kyle Lierman: $106,191
Mark Winston: $62,580
Hoan Dang: $56,723
Heather Mizeur: $55,718
Craig Zucker: $49,054

8. Here are the biggest spenders of campaign money this year.

Council Candidates
Becky Wagner: $126,119
Hans Riemer: $122,241
George Leventhal: $112,418
Nancy Floreen: $105,047
Duchy Trachtenberg: $94,709

Senate Candidates
Saqib Ali: $180,591
Mike Lenett: $174,185
Rob Garagiola: $134,139
Cheryl Kagan: $87,152
Nancy King: $84,322

Delegate Candidates
Vanessa Atterbeary: $129,780
Kyle Lierman: $99,893
Dana Beyer: $98,825
Hoan Dang: $89,195
Craig Zucker: $69,906

9. Here are the biggest self-funders of the cycle. This statistic includes contributions and loans to self from 2007 on, but does not include self-funding for the 2009 special election.

Council Candidates
Becky Wagner: $95,000 (from husband)
Hans Riemer: $50,000
Robin Ficker: $22,358
Jane de Winter: $17,115
Ilaya Hopkins: $12,500

Senate Candidates
Mike Lenett: $200,713
Rich Madaleno: $30,000
Michael Griffiths: $6,200

Delegate Candidates
Vanessa Atterbeary: $107,250
Ariana Kelly: $85,381 (includes $6,266 from husband)
Dana Beyer: $75,000
Charlie Chester: $55,000
Jay Hutchins: $47,772 (includes $2,635 from wife)

We’re sure there is a WHOLE lot more, but it’s time to go back to posting negative mail!

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Duchy Trachtenberg's Washington Post Flyer

Two things struck us about this flyer from Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg trumpeting her endorsement by the Washington Post.


First, the quote from the Post is rather selective. The flyer says:

In the at-large group, we favor three incumbents running for reelection - Duchy Trachtenberg... Ms.Trachtenberg... distinguished herself as the first of the at-large council members to sound the alarm on the county's grave fiscal problems and has been a tough and consistent voice for trimming spending and budgeting responsibly. That took courage, and she deserves reelection.

The full quote from the Post's editorial is:

In the at-large group, we favor three incumbents running for reelection -- Duchy Trachtenberg, Marc Elrich and Nancy Floreen -- plus one promising challenger, Hans Riemer.

Ms. Trachtenberg, who can be cantankerous, is not winning popularity contests on the council or with public employee unions, with whom she has tangled. But she distinguished herself as the first of the at-large council members to sound the alarm on the county's grave fiscal problems and has been a tough and consistent voice for trimming spending and budgeting responsibly. That took courage, and she deserves reelection.

Second, the flyer was not on glossy card stock, but looked like a laser-print from someone's home printer on cheap white copy paper. Since when does a candidate with more than $200,000 in the bank hand out something so amateurish?

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Police Call for Investigation of Duchy Trachtenberg (Updated)

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 has called on the Maryland Attorney General, the State’s Attorney of Montgomery County and the U.S. Attorney for Maryland to investigate Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg’s conduct as Treasurer of Maryland NOW. Following is their letter, as well as a few attachments.

September 9,2010

Douglas Gansler
Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202

Dear Mr. Gansler:

The Board of Directors of Fraternal Order of Police, Montgomery County Lodge 35 has directed that I write to you requesting an investigation as explained below. In making this request, we want to be clear that we are not alleging that any crime has been committed by anyone in this matter.

Since December 4, 2006, Marie “Duchy” Trachtenberg has been an elected member of the Montgomery County Council. She is a public official who serves as chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee of the Montgomery County Council and in that capacity heads the County Council's Audit Committee.

From sometime prior to December 2006 until December 15, 2008, Councilmember Trachtenberg served as treasurer of Maryland National Organization for Women [“NOW”]. Maryland NOW is an organization with an address in Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland. We do not know if the matters, infra, involve more than one state or more than one political subdivision within Maryland.

Based upon information believed to be credible, reliable and accurate, the past president of Maryland NOW, in her capacity as president of Maryland NOW, made serious allegations against Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, former treasurer of Maryland NOW.

Those allegations are detailed in a document titled, “National Organization For Women Grievance Committee Decision” in the matter of Maryland NOW v. Duchy Trachtenberg, dated November 9,2009. Decision attached.

According to the decision, Councilmember Trachtenberg failed to turn over records that she maintained as a fiduciary. Further, it is alleged that “Ms. Trachtenberg regularly utilized Maryland NOW’s ATM card to make cash withdrawals [and] used the ATM card to make regular purchases at retail outlets including but not limited to Lord & Taylor, Victoria’s Secret, Filenes Basement, Target, Williams Sonoma, [theaters and food stores] and numerous dining establishments.”

The decision further states that “according to SunTrust Bank records, Ms. Trachtenberg wrote numerous checks to herself ... and numerous checks to her husband ...” No documentation or expense reports justifying these expenses were provided, according to the decision.

The decision concludes that “Maryland NOW is unable to determine whether the $19,345.26 Ms. Trachtenberg returned to Maryland NOW at the end of her term as Treasurer represents the full amount owed to the organization.” (According to the decision, only $494.73 of this sum was from the authorized NOW account at SunTrust, the remainder was in the form of a cashier's check "from Bank of America a bank at which Maryland NOW had no account.”)

We make no claim as to the accuracy of these allegations and must presume that Councilmember Trachtenberg is innocent of any wrongdoing or inappropriate conduct. We do, however, note that in a January 20, 2010 article which appeared in the Gazette newspapers, it is reported that Bruce Bender, “[a]n attorney representing Montgomery County Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg has asked the Maryland Chapter of the National Organization for Women to dismiss a claim that Trachtenberg mishandled money while serving as treasurer of the organization.” The article refers to “a Dec. 9 [2009] letter to Terry O’Neill, national president of NOW [from Mr. Bender who reportedly] called concerns raised about Trachtenberg’s bookkeeping ‘totally frivolous.’ He requests that NOW ‘dismiss the grievance’ and that NOW members stop discussing the matter with the media.”

We expect that our motives will be questioned. but suggest that we had no part in the allegations against Councilmember Trachtenberg, the grievance against her, or the Grievance Committee Decision. Furthermore, we had no part in the January 20, 2010 Gazette article; the September 1, 2010 article on Maryland Politics Watch, or the May 2009 proposed amendments to Maryland NOW’s bylaws which track the matters addressed in the grievance decision. See attached.

This is not an issue of our making. The focus ought to be on the conduct of Councilmember Trachtenberg, not on messengers.

Indeed, on her County Council web page, Councilmember Trachtenberg says, “As MFP Chair, [her] primary mission is the stewardship of the County's fiscal health. [Councilmember Trachtenberg] guides the yearly budget-making process to ensure the protection of the County’s long-term stability while funding essential priorities and protecting the vulnerable, with transparency, equity and fiscal responsibility.”

In fairness, we take note of praise of Councilmember Trachtenberg by NOW president Terry O’Neill, a former aide to Councilmember Trachtenberg. See attached.

In all good conscience, we consider these allegations to be serious and call upon you and your office to fairly, impartially, and objectively investigate this matter and to take such action as is appropriate.

“As MFP Chair, Councilmember Trachtenberg’s primary mission is the stewardship of the County's fiscal health.”
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/tratmpl.asp?url=/content/council/mem/trachtenberg d/about.asp

We believe that this request of independent prosecutors for such investigations is not only appropriate but fully consistent with Councilmember's own stated priorities of “transparency, equity and fiscal responsibility.” Id.

Similar requests are being made to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney and the United States Attorney.

Sincerely,

Denise Gill Acting Secretary

cc:
John McCarthy
State’s Attorney
Montgomery County, Maryland
Judicial Center, 5th floor
50 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Rod J. Rosenstein
United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Maryland
36 S. Charles Street 4th Fl.
Baltimore, Md. 21201

Here is a copy of the letter on letterhead.




Here is a copy of the NOW grievance decision referenced in the letter.



Here is a copy of the recommended Maryland NOW bylaws changes that were considered after Trachtenberg left as their Treasurer.



The Gazette article can be found here and the MPW post referenced in the letter can be found here.

Update: The Gazette also has this story.

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Duchy Doesn’t Want Union Support… Except When She Does

In a moment of high drama, Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg threw down the gauntlet against MoCo’s seething mob of public employee union thugs. Everyone knows that the evil, cigar-chomping union bosses are running this county into the ground with their endless greed. And so the courageous Council Member Trachtenberg told them what no other at-large candidate has: I will not take your money, I will not take your support, but I will take you to the cleaners at election time! Washington Post editorial writers swooned in worship.

There’s just one problem with this story: Trachtenberg did ask the unions for their support. And they said no.

A few months ago, Duchy Trachtenberg submitted a questionnaire to Progressive Maryland seeking their backing in the 2010 election. Thirty-two of Progressive Maryland’s fifty-two affiliates are labor organizations. Their public employee union affiliates include Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, the Howard County Education Association, the Maryland State Education Association, the Prince George’s County Education Association, the United Transportation Union, and four of Trachtenberg’s worst enemies in MoCo: Fire Fighters Local 1664, SEIU Local 500, MCGEO and – get this – MCEA.

Trachtenberg’s questionnaire reads like one submitted by a true-blue labor lifer. Almost all of the seventeen questions come from a union wish list and include items like collective bargaining for public employees, card check for organizing campaigns, mandatory payments by non-union workers to unions who represent them, binding arbitration for public employee contracts and much, MUCH more. Trachtenberg answered yes for each and every union priority. And when Progressive Maryland asked her about her major endorsements, she answered, “In 2006, I received strong endorsements from Progressive Maryland, and all unions including AFL-CIO and MCEA; also endorsements from the Sierra Club, NOW, ACT, and many national and state elected leaders.” She forgot to mention her declared rejection of all public employee union backing in 2010.

Given Trachtenberg’s labor record, Progressive Maryland was not fooled and did not endorse her. But that’s OK, because Duchy said she didn’t want them anyway. Except she did, but… oh, shush!!

So Duchy Trachtenberg accepted union support and thousands of dollars of their PAC contributions in 2006.


She even gave $6,000 to MCEA’s PAC in 2007 while she was Chair of the council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee.


But now she says that soliciting union support is a conflict of interest. But then she did solicit union support. But wait – Progressive Maryland is not really a union, it’s kind of a union of unions, so it doesn’t really count. Right?

Oh doggone it, it’s too difficult to keep track of all this. All you have to know is that whatever Duchy Trachtenberg says and does today is the right thing. Forget whatever she said and did yesterday, or the day before that, or… well, whenever. Just trust her. After all, with a record like this, how could anybody not believe her?

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Google Picks Up MCRG/Duchy NOW Story

One thing about the Internet is that it moves FAST. Our report on Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government's (MCRG) allegations about Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg's mishandling of money at Maryland NOW is only a few hours old, but it is already fifth on Trachtenberg's first Google search page.


Now is the time that likely voters are paying attention and making up their minds on how they will vote. One way they do that is to enter a candidate's name in Google. When they do, they often end up on MPW, and that is one reason why our site traffic is currently at all-time highs.

If you are a candidate and voters find this when they Google your name, well... you don't want to be that candidate.

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MCRG Claims Duchy Trachtenberg Misused NOW Money

Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government (MCRG), the organization that fought Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg's transgender anti-discrimination bill, has released a set of serious allegations concerning Trachtenberg's tenure as Treasurer of Maryland NOW. Following is their press release.

Media Contact:
Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government
301-335-6042
www.NotMyShower.com
CRGmaryland@yahoo.com

Citizens Group Calls for Councilmember to Retract Threats and Release NOW Financial Records

Montgomery County, MD -- Maryland Citizens for Responsible Government (MCRG) calls on both Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and the Maryland Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) to release all records involving Trachtenberg's actions as NOW’s treasurer from 2006 until November 2008, when Trachtenberg resigned from her position and membership with the organization.

MCRG has anonymously received an unsettling document which purports to be a summary of a November 9, 2009, NOW Grievance Committee Decision against Trachtenberg. The grievance allegedly cites Suntrust Bank records for NOW’s checking account and claims that Trachtenberg misused NOW’s ATM card to make unauthorized cash withdrawals; make purchases at retail stores like Lord & Taylor, Victoria’s Secret, and Filenes Basement; and write numerous checks to herself and her husband.

The grievance further alleges that at the end of her term as NOW treasurer, Trachtenberg failed to provide accounting records.

Trachtenberg currently sits on the County Council of Montgomery County, Maryland. In her infamous letter to the Department of Justice, Councilmember Trachtenberg requested transparent behavior of all public servants. “Threatening the National Organization for Women with legal action if they publicly speak about their grievance is not transparent behavior,” said Dr. Ruth Jacobs, MCRG President.

“MCRG calls on Trachtenberg to retract threats of legal action against NOW, confirm the outcome of this grievance, and produce all records concerning her actions as treasurer for NOW as the grievance allegedly demands. As Trachtenberg herself has said, Montgomery County residents deserve transparency of their public officials.”

A January 20, 2010, Gazette article documented that Trachtenberg had threatened legal action against officers of Maryland NOW for defamation and invasion of privacy if they discuss the grievance with the media. Trachtenberg’s attorney also asked that NOW “dismiss a claim that Trachtenberg mishandled money while serving as treasurer of the organization.”

Trachtenberg is seeking re-election this fall to her Montgomery County Council at-large seat. Both Montgomery County NOW and the Gazette have not endorsed Trachtenberg. And the alleged grievance forbids Trachtenberg from holding any leadership position with NOW. Montgomery County Now is reported to have added a new question to their candidate questionnaire -- “Is there anything in your background that might disqualify you from an endorsement by MCNOW?”

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At-Large MoCo Council Debate at the 4H in Chevy Chase

Thirteen candidates showed up in Chevy Chase tonight for the second to last candidate forum--or so I am told--of the at-large campaign season. The debate was sponsored by a panoply of municipalities and organizations from around the area. Channel 16 covered it so you should be able to watch it. Here are my impressions on how candidates struck people--less about the specifics of what they said and more about style.

As mayor, I got to introduce the candidates--a great example of a politician taking credit of the hard work of others in putting the forum together and Charles Duffy for moderating it. The candidates looked like they were ready to throw me off the stage when I suggested that elections are like reality TV in that you actually get to vote people off the island--a thought I admit was inspired by viewing of Top Chef last night and perhaps by a post on the delegate race in District 18 inspired by Project Runway four years ago. Perhaps I was on firmer ground when I spoke about all the important decisions they get to make.

George Gluck (Green) lost me when he said that the solution to the economic crisis in a nutshell is that we all need to stop shopping at Barnes and Noble in Bethesda and go to the Cricket Book Shop in Ashton instead to keep money and jobs in the County. Reinforced the impression of Greens as well-meaning but utterly impractical and a bit kooky.

Duchy Trachtenberg (D) had one really good theme that resonated well and one that sounded a little tinny to me. The good theme is making tough choices in tough times. In short, it makes a virtue out of Duchy's loss of political support from unions--a smart and sensible response to the choices she has made in office that fits the mood of the times--not to mention the Post. In contrast, Duchy recitation of Ike's endorsement and how we can only trust experienced hands now rang false as it left me wondering why one should have supported her four years ago.

Despite starting off the debate by complimenting his fellow incumbents, George Leventhal (D) quickly lost any chance of taking home the Mr. Congeniality statuette. A bull in a china shop, George is tough and argumentative rather than pleasant and controlled, and sometimes clever instead of convincing. His tone is the one I try to keep out of my classroom teaching--the one that suggests you're a real idiot if you disagree with me--reinforced with a frown and crossed arms. Folks, we even nearly had a Saturday Night Live moment brought to life when he went after Jane de Winter. But hey, I guess you can't argue with George's electoral success.

In contrast, Nancy Floreen (D) came across as an adult who has firm convictions and a grasp of the facts but keeps her head. Like George, Nancy has strong opinions and defends them armed with a quick mind and grasp of the issues.. However, she managed to make her points, and even correct people, without looking like she was berating them or being unpleasant. Not an easy balance but one Nancy carried out with conviction. Looked like a Council President.

Jane de Winter (D) benefited from being George's target and having a sense of humor about it as she turned George's attack on her fiscal sense and her advocacy for education into a family anecdote about an adult handling a child. One can debate about who won the point but the optics of standing up to a bully were good as Jane held her own as she made an impression--something challengers have to do. Seated wrongly as a "W" instead of a "D", de Winter got to sit in the center of the pack.

Raj Narayanan (D) came across as an outsider with economic knowledge but lost credibility when he urged the audience to vote for him and Marc Elrich--mainly because it looks weak and because he apparently urges support for himself and a different incumbent at each forum. Nonetheless, he was a fresh face to me and I enjoyed his contribution.

Hans Riemer (D) was the candidate who really gets that debates are not just about what you say but the impression you make. Though younger than the other Democrats, he came across as calm, likable, and knowing the notes he wanted to hit, particularly reinforcing the message of his recent mailer on seniors. Though some will ask where's the beef? his competitors did not press this point as at other forums.

Becky Wagner (D) had an ability to relate governmental problems to both her past experience and to make clear points on complex issues. As with Jane de Winter, I got the impression of someone who has worked hard in the community and earned her spot up there. Becky came across as clear-eyed even if one wondered about her stands on issues as her responses sometimes could be read a number of ways--not necessarily a bad thing when one is trying to corral voters with diverse opinions.

Marc Elrich (D) must have been good in the classroom. He has clear views but also looks like someone who is practical, knows a lot, is willing to talk calmly with others, and thinks that politics is about bringing people together to solve the community's problems. In short, another grown up. He elicited the only applause for the night when he mentioned his bus-rapid transit proposal.

Fred Evans (D) seemed like a nice enough fellow but did not leave much of a memory--bad news for any candidate, I'm afraid.

Robert Dyer (R) wanted you to know that he is the man with the fiscal plan. Very intense. I confess I don't know what to make of Republicans with pony tails. The repeated references to Fantasy Island didn't help. I resisted urges to stand up from the back of the auditorium and shout: "The plane! The plane!"

Mark Fennell (R) brags about being a tea-party candidate in his literature but oddly sounded more interested in making sure that developers pay their fair share for infrastructure in addition to standard Republican fiscal concerns. I preferred the guy on stage to his written materials. Mark is sort of an inverse Bob Ehrlich who looks great in his ads but really should never be allowed to debate.

Brandon Rippeon (R) woke me up with a resonant voice and a passionate presentation but then disappointed with his anodyne attack suggesting that increasing gang violence indicates that the county council has provided bad value for its money. Like Hans, Brandon is a young, fresh face but has a very different style.

Note: I have endorsed Marc Elrich and Jane de Winter. I apologize for any votes this loses them.

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Duchy Slaps Riemer, Wagner

In an email sent to supporters on Monday, Duchy Trachtenberg's campaign manager, Woody Brosnan, had this to say about challengers Hans Riemer and Becky Wagner. No, he did not name them, but his targets were obvious. This sort of talk is normally supposed to occur under the radar, but thank Heavens we have blogs to air these kinds of things!

The Week Ahead

By Woody Brosnan, Campaign Manager

Next Friday marks the start of Maryland’s first experience with early voting in person. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from Sept. 3 through Sept. 9—even on Labor Day—voters can go to one of five locations to vote. (Those locations are listed below, at the end of this piece.)

Is there any reason to wait until Sept. 14? Is there going to be some startling new bold innovation to spring forth from one of Duchy’s challengers?

Probably not.

One of the challengers says vote for him because he would be a “fresh face” on the Council. Now when I was covering Congress for various newspapers and heard that argument I always that meant there wasn’t much behind the face. Then too, a face can always change depending on the audience.

Another says she’s a “consensus builder” but a consensus for what isn’t exactly clear because she won’t offer specifics on the county’s tough budget choices.

One thing I have to admit is that Duchy is not a new face. For two decades, she’s been around Montgomery County and Maryland, and in the halls of the Capitol fighting for women’s rights, improvements in the care of the mentally ill, and critical needs for our community.

Duchy is a consensus builder too; but what sets her apart is that she starts with an idea, like creating a Family Justice Center for victims of domestic abuse, or banning the use of trans fat in restaurants in the county, or envisioning a long-term fiscal plan that makes sense and then selling the idea to her colleagues on the Council.

Her record of success is pretty good too. To learn more, visit www.voteduchy.org.

So just go ahead and vote early, and mark your ballot for Duchy Trachtenberg, Councilmember At-Large.

Here are those Early Voting Locations:

Silver Spring Civic Building, 8525 Fenton Street, Silver Spring 20910
Montgomery County Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville 20850
Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville 20853
Germantown Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown 20874
Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, 14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville 20866

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Duchy Trachtenberg's First Mailer

This mailer arrived yesterday. We have three questions.

1. With all of Trachtenberg's money and consultants, is their best strategy to start sending mail thirteen days before the primary?

2. Did anyone ask Maryland NOW about the "Duchy Difference" after she threatened to sue them if they discussed her "mishandling" their money with the media?

3. Did former Trachtenberg staffer and current NOW President Terry O'Neill think about the propriety of endorsing someone who has threatened to sue one of NOW's affiliates?

Of course, the answer to all of the above is "NO."

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