McDonough: ‘I’m not interested’ in state Senate
Republican Del. Pat McDonough says that despite rumors, he is not interested in the 7th District state Senate seat held by Sen. Andy Harris.
“I’m definitely not,” McDonough said.
“I’ve not uttered one statement (about the senate seat) publicly or privately,” McDonough said.
“It’s either county executive or House of Delegates,” McDonough said.
The 7th District seat has been held by Republican Harris since it was created in 2002. The district includes Middle River, Kingsville Cockeysville and part of Perry Hall. One-third of the district is in western Harford County.
Harris is considering a rematch in the 1st Congressional District against Rep. Frank Kratovil. Harris said he is raising money for a potential second campaign against the incumbent Democrat.
If Harris does run for Congress, that will leave his state senate seat open. Two names have emerged as potential candidates — Republican Del. J.B. Jennings and Republican former state insurance commissioner and Del. Al Redmer.
McDonough is not shy about sizing up the two and commenting on a fellow delegate from his own district.
Of Jennings, McDonough said: “he may not be a strong candidate because he’s not around enough.” Jennings is currently away completing training for the Maryland Air National Guard.
“I think Al Redmer is very serious about running for the state senate,” McDonough said. Last year, McDonough referred to Redmer, who now lives in Middle River, as an interloper in the district.
In 2005, McDonough expressed an interest in filling Harris’ seat when the senator was then considering a run for Congress. Jennings was also interested.
He “is a hell of a cow-milker but I have more (elected) experience,” McDonough said in a Feb. 2005 comment in The Towson Times, referring to Jenning’s farming operation.
A month earlier, McDonough called Jennings a back-stabber after Jennings voted for Democrat Del. Joseph “Sonny” Minnick to continue as chairman of the county House delegation. Some McDonough and other Republicans attempted to unseat Minnick and replace him with Republican Del. Wade Kach.
Jennings said then that he voted for Minnick after the chairman came to him and asked for his vote the day before, something he said Republicans did not do.
An open seat and discord within the Republican ranks could lead to a competitive race for Democrats interested in breaking the stranglehold Republicans have on the district.
Councilman Vince Gardina is considered to be likely candidate for the 7th District seat. He is finishing his fifth term on the council.