Democrats and Republicans got together in a day of volunteer service Saturday. By Sunday, the gloves had come off and it was politics as usual.
Chris Cavey, chairman of the county Republican Central Committee, issued a statement late Sunday night criticizing David Gildea and Michael Paul Smith for their development of a ticket of candidates that will run for at least three of the expected four open council seats next year. (more…)
Baltimore County Republican Central Committee Chairman Chris Cavey told me Tuesday night that he is withdrawing as a candidate for chairman of the state party.
Cavey forwarded an e-mail to me that he sent to party central committee members around the state.
Cavey provided no additional information and said he would be unavailable for most of the night.
Cavey was one of three candidates vying for the post. His withdrawal leaves only Audrey Scott and Daniel “The Wig Man” Vovak (so named because of his penchant for wearing powdered colonial-style wigs during his 2006 U.S. Senate race).
A final vote is expected Nov. 14 at the state party convention in Bowie.
Here is Cavey’s e-mail: (more…)
Comptroller Peter Franchot came to Towson last week, preaching the gospel of penny-pinching in a place even he seemed to think was a bit odd — a Democratic club meeting.
Franchot spoke to about 50 attendees of the Central Baltimore County Democratic Club last Tuesday and compared the economy to a blizzard.
“The snow has stopped falling, but there’s 10 feet outside and it’s going to take a while to dig out,” Franchot said, adding that the possibility of new taxes to support state spending is slim to none until the economy rebounds.
“As Democrats, we have to reform state spending,” Franchot said. “A lot of Democrats look at me like, ‘What’s that?’ Like they took an oath to defend every last dime of spending in public programs.” (more…)
Chris Cavey, the chairman of the county Republican Central Committee, said Wednesday he will seek to replace Jim Pelura as the state party chairman.
Cavey said he sent letters to 243 Republican Central Committee members from around the state and met with four county committees last week. He has four more similar meetings scheduled for this week, including two Wednesday night.
“It’s just a campaign like any other campaign,” Cavey said. “I have 243 doors to knock on.”
Pelura, who has been under fire from fellow Republicans, including Cavey, announced he was resigning from the position effective Nov. 14, the date of the next statewide Republican central committee convention in Bowie. The new chairman will be elected at that meeting.
Cavey, who is first vice president of the state party, is the only announced Baltimore County candidate for the top GOP post in Maryland.
If he wins he will have to give up his role as chairman of the county party — a position he has held since he was appointed in December 2002.
State Republican Party Chairman Jim Pelura’s resignation announcement last week could have an effect on the Republican party here in Baltimore County.
Chris Cavey, the chairman of the party’s central committee in the county, said he is considering the possibility of replacing Pelura.
“I honestly don’t know right now,” said Cavey, who is also the first vice president for the GOP in Maryland. “I need some time to think about it. It could be fun. I just have to see.”
The position does not come without a cost. If Cavey wants to guide the state party, he’ll have to give up his position as chairman of the Baltimore County Central Committee.
Last week, former Del. Al Redmer sent an e-mail to supporters saying he was not interested in the position.
Ellen Sauerbrey’s name has also been mentioned, according to a report by Alan Brody of The Gazette.
The state party is expected to elect its next chairman at its state convention in Bowie on Nov. 14.
Al Redmer, the former state insurance commissioner and Republican state delegate from Perry Hall, has everything he needs for a 2010 political campaign save one — an office to run for.
Redmer, who now lives on the Middle River waterfront, acknowledges an interest in the upcoming campaign season. Last week he had brochures printed with a brief biography. He plans to start handing them out door to door within the week. (more…)
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. (more…)
Michael Pappas, a Perry Hall resident, might be the first Republican to declare his interest in running for Maryland governor in 2010.
On Dec. 9, Pappas, who has never run for public office, formed an exploratory committee to look at a possible run for governor in two years. (more…)