District 7 Dominoes: Baltimore/Harford Delegates Line Up for a Probable Political Promotion
February 21, 2008
One is too young and inexperienced. Another is too cantankerous and controversial. And the third says he doesn’t even want the job. But odds are, when Republican Andy Harris is elected to Congress this November, one of the three District 7 delegates will move up to fill his seat representing Baltimore and Harford counties in the state senate.
Harris’ surprising upset of nine-term incumbent Wayne Gilchrest in the Republican Primary Election a few weeks ago placed the state senator as the favorite to take over the First District Congressional seat - leaving a prized piece of political real estate vacant and ready for occupancy.
Tradition and law make it exceedingly likely the next Baltimore/Harford state senator will come from the trio of offbeat politicians currently comprising the District 7 delegation. Rick Impallaria, J.B. Jennings and Pat McDonough have stuck together since they were elected to the newly configured district in 2002, but Harris’ impending departure from the senate could change all that. Continue reading District 7 Dominoes: Baltimore/Harford Delegates Line Up for a Probable Political Promotion
Harford Votes: Picks Obama and McCain for President, Eaves for Judge and Harris for Congress in Icy Election
February 13, 2008
About 41 percent of those registered to vote in Harford County’s 2008 Primary Election did so in the freezing rain Tuesday, choosing Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. Hillary Clinton by fewer than 100 votes, overwhelming electing Harford County Circuit Court Judge Angela Eaves to the position she was appointed two months ago and helping propel state Sen. Andy Harris to his upset victory over longtime U.S. Congressman Wayne Gilchrest.
On Tuesday, about 48,000 voters of the 118,000 registered to participate in Harford County’s election did so, but Democrats voted more proportionally than Republicans. Forty-five percent of Harford County Democrats voted Tuesday (26,817 out of 59,552 registered) compared to only 36 percent of the county’s Republicans (21,351 out of 58,870 registered).
Even though the registration figures show a virtual dead heat between Dems and Repubs in Harford, the majority of Dems tend to vote GOP - as demonstrated in recent local Republican tides that have helped carry Bob Ehrlich and anyone holding onto his long coattails into office. Does this low Republican turnout mean Sen. John McCain isn’t going to be as successful motivating his base GOP votes or just that Harford voters knew he had no real challenge from Gov. Mike Huckabee? Continue reading Harford Votes: Picks Obama and McCain for President, Eaves for Judge and Harris for Congress in Icy Election
The Assembly Line - Checking the Political Pulse in Annapolis
January 11, 2008
For political junkies, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
The 188 state representatives - 47 senators and 141 delegates - comprising the Maryland General Assembly convened Wednesday for the start of the state’s 425th legislative session - a 90-day affair that is set to adjourn on April 7.
To ring in the new legislative year, The Dagger brings you The Assembly Line - a unique feature that collects locally-sponsored legislation and presents it in a way that lets readers easily access and digest the information. Thanks to the work of our resident wizard Steve, The Assembly Line conveniently scrolls across the The Dagger’s front page and offers a place for supporters, critics and other interested readers to comment and discuss the bills and resolutions with one another.
The Assembly Line is updated several times a day with the newest legislation and the latest information on the status of the bills and resolutions. This is a chance to keep tabs on the local delegates and senators you sent to Annapolis and make sure they are working for you. Have fun while letting them have it!
Now back to Annapolis. Continue reading The Assembly Line - Checking the Political Pulse in Annapolis
