From Citizens To Elect Rovall Washington:
Edgewood resident Rovall Washington has entered the political arena this election year. His charge is to win the powerful Senate Seat in District 34, which represents Joppa, Edgewood, Aberdeen, Havre De Grace, Belcamp, the western part of Abingdon, and western parts of Cecil County.
Rovall Washington will bring a unique dynamic to the Maryland Senate if he champions his opponents. He will be the first African-American to ever be elected to a term in Annapolis from Harford and Cecil Counties. “I am not focusing on the race issue. I never have. We all need solid leadership from someone who understands the issues real Marylanders are facing. I know them because I’ve faced them myself and I understand what people want”, said the Senatorial candidate.
“The current Senator has been in Annapolis for over 15 years. The only time you see her in the community is during election years. The issues we are facing as a state financially are equally hers to blame. She is part of the problem. I think government is reaching too far into our pockets to cover their wants instead of restructuring our current agenda to manage what we need. Maryland is taking advantage of the small business owner. The proposed hotel tax in Harford County is the perfect example of that”, says the 33-year-old father of three.
“We need someone who knows what it is like to raise a family on a budget. Someone who knows what it is like to choose between filling up your tank and buying food for the family. We need someone who wants to see our children become something special and not just a statistic. I am here for that reason. I am that person”, says Rovall Washington.
To become the next State Senator and own a part of history, Rovall Washington must beat fellow Democrat Art Helton in the primary this September. When asked what is the difference between him and his challenger, Washington simply smiled and said, “ I don’t understand how a millionaire in Darlington can really understand what a person trying to make ends meet here in Edgewood, Joppa, and Aberdeen are going through. He is out of touch with the base. Don’t tell me about what happened in the 70’s and 80’s. Tell me about now. I’m out here working with community programs and functions to make things better now. I’m not just showing up in time for a photo.”
Washington continued to express his concern about an issue that has followed Mr. Helton for many years. The State Senate candidate states, “ As far I can see, he doesn’t even live in the district he is trying to run in. He and his wife live in Darlington next to Senator Barry Glassman on nine acres of land with a pool and animals. Now all of a sudden he moved into a small row house in Joppa. The neighbors don’t even know who he is.”
“The law states that you must live in the district you wish to represent. The Board of Elections has already caught him trying to undermine the election law on this before. Now he is trying to do it again. You can not be the Governor of Maryland and live in Virginia.”
Rovall Washington is referring to a ruling made against the Darlington resident in the 2002 case of Barbara Osborn Kreamer vs. Harford County Board of Elections. In the case, Mr. Helton was forced to change his voter registration address to match his address in Darlington after an investigation proved that he was using his business address as his place of residence in order to vote in District 34. It also showed that Helton has changed his voter registration address five times since 2002. All of which revert back to his address in Darlington by his own request. New speculation is now arising about his current residence in Joppa’s Rumsey Island community.
Rovall Washington has gathered strong support from the community, evident by the impressive display of billboard yard signs showing up all over District 34. “ People know that I understand their pain and that I want to take steps to eliminated their problems, not only as a community, but as a state.”
“ I have made a career by taking once prominent dealerships across the region and bringing them back to life. I’ve managed million dollar budgets and know what steps are needed to revitalized District 34 and make Harford and Cecil the premier counties in Maryland. We must give Edgewood the resources and local leadership to move to the forefront of Harford County’s growth and not become another overlooked town. We need to utilize state funds available to us to maximize the use of Route 40 and bring high-end retail to our part of the county to increase the value of our homes and improve the local economy. We need to take back our youth and show them what can become of them and how to get there. We also need to set term limits to stop politicians looking to get rich off the position because this is not what Thomas Jefferson envisioned in our leaders.”
“I am not a career politician. I am a person who genuinely cares and wants to make a difference. My candidacy for Senator is one all can believe in. I am you. I am Rovall Washington. I serve the voters in my district, not my political affiliation”, concluded the Senatorial hopeful.
Rovall Washington was raised on a thoroughbred farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. In high school he was an All- American in basketball and later went to college at Florida A&M University. Rovall Washington began his career as producer for Black Entertainment Television’s BET Tonight With Tavis Smiley. When the company moved to New York, Mr. Washington followed his brother’s advice and found employment in the automotive sales business. He has served as a General Sales Manager for 6 years and Finance Manager for 3 years with the Antwerpen Automotive Group in Baltimore. He is currently a member of the Joppatowne Community Council and the African-American Democratic Club. He currently sponsors a program called “ The I Deal Hope Award”, which allows students to spend a day at Sirius-XM Studios in Washington, DC to learn how radio broadcast are put together and meet special guests and musical celebrities as a reward for exemplary performance in their community.
Rovall has a lot of hot air, but he doesn’t have the first clue about how grants work. On his website, he still thinks that Silver Spring was developed by the state and not by then-County Executive Doug Duncan. He fled Prince George’s to flee his own troubles–family troubles, marital troubles and financial troubles. But now he knows how to fix the Rt 40 corridor? I’ve seen these folks before in the Inner Harbor promising magic tricks–and they’re always a gimmick.
At least Rovell actually lives in the District. Helton tried to pull this crap in Aberdeen and run for Mayor. Then he got a puppet resident to do it after people raised concerns. Then encouraged Steve Johnson to try the residence thing and it backfired on him too.
“….I think government is reaching too far into our pockets to cover their wants instead of restructuring our current agenda to manage what we need. Maryland is taking advantage of the small business owner. The proposed hotel tax in Harford County is the perfect example of that”, says the 33-year-old father of three.”
Hey Einstein, the hotel tax doesn’t cost a small business a single penny. It cost the hotel guest a dollar or two extra for each day stayed. The money goes toward tourism (promoting it, protecting it, getting to it…that’s right emergency services and public works can get a piece of the pie). The hotel tax SAVES small businesses because without it the small businesses and residents of Aberdeen, Havre De Grace, and the unincorporated 40 corridor are going to be picking up the tab. The hotel tax is one measure that Jacobs will not support but if she did she would be sure to win re-election. The hotel tax is one of the biggest challenges facing eastern Harford County.
Look, you can’t expect a n00b to understand something like that.
Hell, he probably thinks he can cut taxes, police spending and have the police have a bake sale to buy new equipment.
If taxes go up someone has to pay. And if people decide not to stay because the price is higher, the person who takes the hit is the small motel or small hotel owner. The big boys like Holiday Inn will be fine. But the real question is where does Art live! I live in Joppatowne and he doesn’t live here. His truck is here but its always driven by some younger guy. One neighbor will tell you to your face he doesn’t live there and the other thinks Art Helton’s kids live there! Forget “Where’s Waldo”, Where’s Art!!!
Mr Washington is out here trying to be part of the solution. He has my vote! Everybody I asked about this guy Helton always say the same thing- DON’T TRUST HIM. Also what elected official in the region besides Bennett is willing to support Art Helton’s campaign? No one! Because Fart Helton is no to be trusted.
Hey BethJ, the only thing you ever hear Art Helton promising is money to make people shut up! Art doesn’t want his bag of sins to come out! Go Mr Washington!!!! I’m proud to see a young man like yourself get out here and try to do some good! Don’t let these people in the Helton pocket break your spirit.
As a candidate, I think it’s important that Mr. Washington address a number of questions and concerns that should come to every educated voter:
1) What is your actual worldly experience that qualifies you to even be close to the learning curve that is the Maryland General Assembly?
In asking this I am not saying that we should only elect politicians to political seats, but a used car salesman who’s just moved here recently, reports that he lives in a residence with several registered voters who apparently live out of state. (Yeah, let’s call Helton shady while throwing stones within your glass house)
2) I will vote for a candidate, not a yard sign. Also, in a heavily democratic district, most educated voters will not vote for Mr. Washington and most uneducated voters will affiliate Mr. Washington’s signs and ultimately his candidacy to that of Mr. Ehrlich, who’s signs are virtually identical in color, shape, design including the placement of the outline of the Maryland State.
3) Previously on this site there were some allegations about Mr. Washington’s infidelities, fleeing of his wife and children, and coming to Harford county to be with some new mistress. I would like these allegations addressed. I don’t want to assume that these rumors are true, but without refutation, I will find no other opinion.
4) RWinger- kudos to calling out Mr. Washington on the Hotel Tax. Again, I’m from Cecil County and wouldn’t benefit at all from your hotel tax, but its absolutely insane that Harford is the only county in the midatlantic not to have a tourist tax on their hotels. It’s 2010, not 1910, get with the times people.
5) Not playing race? Seriously? I don’t think Mr. Washington has stepped foot into Cecil County since filing for this office. He probably doesnt even know that almost half the Cecil County is in his district, and I think that he’ll have a rude awakening when he comes to this side of the river. If he knows anything about Cecil, I wouldnt doubt him for not coming here, I barely want to be here(socially) sometimes myself.
6) Finally, I feel bad for the guy. From the research I’ve done it looks like he’s nothing more than a puppet on some short strings being operated by one of the worst hacks in Maryland Politics, Dion Guthrie. I don’t understand how this guy gets elected to office. I’ve met him, I’ve heard him attempt to speak (in whatever form of english/jibberish he presents) and wouldn’t have half an ounce of respect for the guy, not to mention vote for him. My sources tell me that Guthrie didn’t have the cajones to run against Helton or Jacobs himself, and put some young guy up to take the fall for him, and cost either or both candidates money.
Fortunately, with the ground game that Helton seems to be running, according to the media on this side of the river, I’ll have the fortunate opportunity of voting for Mr. Helton in September and then again in November.
The vegas over/under for votes received by Washington in Cecil County is 43.5– I’m putting my cash on the under.
-JM from Cecil County
He did attend Cecil County’s 1st annual Democratic Fundraiser Dinner a couple of weeks back.
Are you kidding me? Is this all Mr. Washington has to offer? Baseless accusations and a shameless play of the race card? I am proud to be a member of “Team Helton”, because I know what he brings to the table. He has the knowledge and experience to jump into the job on day 1 and actually serve his constituency, whereas Mr. Washington would spend half of his term learning the ropes. If he were to get elected, would his “mentor” stand over his shoulder in Annapolis? What will Mr. Washington do when he has to think for himself while making decisions that affect his whole district? Granted, because he needs Cecil County votes to win, the likelihood is incredibly slim that we will have to worry about his ability to serve. Senator Helton has a consistent presence in Cecil County, and is very highly regarded on both sides of the proverbial aisle. Mr. Washington and Mrs. Jacobs are two of a kind, running phantom campaigns here in Cecil…
Who is his constiuency if elected? The people he lives near in Darlington? or the actual residents of the district in which he only rents a house he does not live in?
Sara, don’t you work for Rice? Rice represents some very important officials who are rallying behind Mr. Washington’s campaign for various reasons like Del. Mary-Dulany James, Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, and Councilwoman Lisanti. Be smart about how you portray yourself and your positions when you are working for a company that may be working with the candidate you are seeking to defame! Just think and be smarter than your age!
Pround member???
how about uninformed member
Art Helton has brought nothing good to the table based on all of his actions over the years, screwing aberdeen, voting were he doesnt leave,and mis guiding the voters of Harford and Cecil. I would love to see washington win but if helton wins the primary then(as a democrat)i would have to unbstain from the senate vote in november because i couldnt stand myself for tapping the screen for helton or jaccobs.
GO WASHINGTON!!
Really? Art Helton would NOT get any job done in Annapolis. Ask any Senator or Delegate there. They don’t want him there because he is more about stirring trouble than making any positive movement. If Mr Washington gets elected, sure he will have to learn the ropes just like any newly elected official. But what will Helton do? Run and die after one term? His health is bad, his style of politics are even worst, and he has no genuine care for this district unless it brings cash into his pocket. Its no secret he doesn’t live in Joppa. I’ve been in Aberdeen for a long time and I am not voting for Helton. This is a man I remember who slapped his first wife with witnesses around, faked a heart attack last fall and dropped out of the Senate race because one of his renters told on him asking her for sex in return for back rent, and constantly manipulated political elections for his own good. Mr Washington is young and willing to do something no one you on here are doing… RUN FOR OFFICE! At least he is out there doing something while you all write about it. He has my vote.
Also what do you mean “Granted, because he needs Cecil County votes to win, the likelihood is incredibly slim that we will have to worry about his ability to serve”? Cecil County will not just vote for Helton because Washington is black. This country has come way too far to let stereotypes like that exist. I will admit that if he wants to win he need to put forth effort to be visible in Cecil County.
Mike Hiob you are far from Aberdeen’s finest!
Cy;
What the hell has Mike Hiob got to do with this? The guy writing as Aberdeen’s Finest is certainly not Mike.
Seriously Yensan?
There’s only one shitbag I can think of in all of aberdeen who’s arrogant and self serving enough to think of him as Aberdeen’s finest.
The true colours will be shown when we start seeing a moving billboard in the primary with rovall washington and old man guthrie’s face on it.
What an ugly mug.
Someone’s gotta tell that guy to cut that mullet. Sheesh!
Oh wait, Washington probably won’t raise enough money for one of those useless billboards!
I would welcome that over Glen Galss’s bill board parked at the park and ride in Abingdon!
Glenn Glass signs are ridiculous…He has 2 trucks parked at the park and ride now. Idiot wants to make laws yet he can’t follow them….
Glen Glass! Whee.
Now there’s a Hiob-style winner if ive ever seen one
Except they are completly the opposite
(isnt that funny how mis informed people always make themselves look stupid)
By the way why would hiob be calling himself aberdeen’s finest, police use that and they are the only ones that can because every other form or person in city government certaintly is not.
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to address this post on behalf of my family, The Wells. While I’ll keep this message brief, I want to state the facts:
1. Mr. Washington is married to my sister, ADRIANNE Washington. They are the parents of a beautiful baby girl.
2. Mr. Washington DOES reside with his mistress, who does happen to be his ex-wife.
I will not make any personal attacks against Mr. Washington’s character, but I will say that my family has suffered greatly over the last four years due to his emotional instability, lack of ethics and morals, and bad judgment.
Many of the comments from others stated here about “hot air” and “fleeing troubles” are true, and can be supported by many people. I feel sorry for anyone who is subjected to his leadership.
And to anyone who would take up for him, I hope you truly know the facts. I can’t see how ANYONE with factual knowledge could ever endorse this candidate and what he’s done to destroy his family. It’s disgusting, and we’re tired of this situation – AND HIM.
Please leave my sister and her beautiful child out of this mess.
Respectfully yours.
Rovall is a joke running for senate!
He has no morals!He will say one thing to you and do another behind your back!Rovall can sell dream and maybe a car! He just up and left his current wife and newborn at the age of three weeks old… What type of role model or example is he for his children?! What makes him qualified for senate?! His word is not worth two cents. He moved his mistress/ex-wife in around the corner from his current wife and child. He had the nerve to ask that they have a quick divorce so he did not look bad while running for this seat on the senate…. Rovall in a leadership position please, he needs to get his personal life in order before he goes trying to take on any part of Maryland. A true man has character, Rovall lacks that. Good people of Maryland be careful who you vote for.
I will just put this out there and the general public can take it as they choose. If you have any question as to what kind of man Mr. Helton is just sit in an Aberdeen city council meeting when they get to talking about one of his properties. He(and some of his buddies) alluded to the fact that they should approve his proposed idea because he *could* have put worse things there and didn’t. Not only is that in my opinion bullying to get what he wants but it is also a bit childish. It’s as if he is saying do what I want or I will screw you over more. I truly do not think that he has the best intrest in mind for the county. I have asked 1 question to his supporters and have not gotten a straight answer yet…is Art going to get us the hotel tax? That is what this county needs. We however do not need a man with money trying to bully and push people into doing what he wants.
I wish that whoever the voters choose can be an honest person and work for the people who elect them. So, good luck to the candidates and voters beware of who you trust…I’ve learned that the hard way.
Sara,
Your comment about Mr. Washington not having to worry about getting votes in Cecil (implied that because Washinton is black he can forget Cecil) speak volumes about you & by assoication Helton & his campaign. They are beneath anyone claiming to be a democrat. However, it seems both have enough skeletons in both closets for either to fit right in the collective cesspool in Annapolis otherwise known as the MD General Assembly.
The current crop in Annapolis is literally killing Maryland through profligate spending, excessive taxation & raiding dedicated state funds to paper over an 8 BILLION sturctural deficit in the next 5 years. People are moving out of Maryland because it is becoming unaffordable & private employment opportunites are not coming to the state. The GA’s attitude to the people of MD? Just shut up & pay.
We need someone to break the mold. The district can do much better than these two.