Candidate Field Set in Frederick County MD - Delegate and State Senate lineup

George Wenschhof

On Tuesday July 6, the candidate deadline came and went and I wrote about the addition of Republican candidates to district 4-A as incumbent Joe Bartlett announced he would not be running for reelection.

In Frederick County, Maryland voters elect one state senator from district 3 and 4 and three delegates from each district which I will now quickly review the filed candidates and their prospects for advancement after the September 14 primary.

Before that, I need to mention two things as they will impact the local election. First, candidates have until July 16 to withdraw from the election. Republican Joe Bartlett representing district 4-A must submit his paperwork by then.

The second is if there are vacancies on the ballot from the recognized political parties, as of the end of the candidate filing deadline (July 6), the local political party central committee may nominate a candidate and have them placed on the ballot. They have until July 21 to do so or there will be no candidate representing their party on the ballot for that position.

Democrats are without a candidate for State's Attorney, Register of Wills, Frederick County Sheriff, and one delegate short in district 4-A. Republicans are only short one candidate for Orphan's Court Judge.

Now, let's first look at the District 3 state senate race. Republican incumbent Alex Mooney is unopposed in the primary. Democrats Ron Young and Don DeArmon will face each other in the primary. Look to see this be a close contest as both candidates are well known. I intend to invite both to appear together on my show "All Things Political with George Wenschhof" prior to the primary.

In the state district 3-A delegate race where two are elected, the Democrats will have no primary contest as only incumbent Galen Clagett and Candy Greenway filed. Democratic incumbent Sue Hecht announced her retirement and Republican candidates smell an opportunity to pick up a seat in a district weighted toward Democrats in voter registration.

Republican Pat Hogan is trying to recapture his seat he held for one term until the last election when Galen Clagett narrowly beat him by several hundred votes. Scott Rolle who formerly was the Frederick County State's Attorney also filed and will likely join Pat Hogan as the two Republican candidates to move on to the general election.

Chris Huckenpoehler and Chuck Knapp do not have the name recognition or campaign organization to compete with Rolle and Hogan.

Look to see the general election be very close with a strong possibility of a Republican pick up here. Clagett will be strong and will be favored to return to Annapolis.

In district 3-B, where one delegate is elected, the battle will again be with Republican candidates. Incumbent Charles Jenkins, who was appointed to the vacant position when delegate Rick Weldon resigned, will face Michael Hough. Expect this battle to be closer than some would want with the winner going to Annapolis.

This marks the third time Democratic candidate Paul Gilligan has run for this position as little to no effort has been made by the local Democratic central committee to recruit candidates. Mr. Gilligan is a smart man who would make an excellent delegate, but has been unable to date, to connect with the voters.

The state senate and delegate races in District 4 favor Republicans as the district has heavy Republican voter registration. Incumbent state senator David Brinkley is expected to be reelected easily. He will face Kathryn Freed in the primary, but she is unknown and hardly considered a threat.

Democrat Sara Trescott will not face opposition in the primary, but it is unlikely she will mount much of a battle against Brinkley.

In district 4-A where two delegates are elected, only one Democrat; Ryan Trout filed. While he will move on to the general election, his chances of election are slim.

Incumbents Paul Stull and Joe Bartlett were favored to be reelected. After Bartlett let it be known he would be withdrawing from the race, Republicans John "Lenny" Thompson, Kelly Schulz and Dino Flores filed. Kathy Afzali is another Republican who will be competing for the two chosen in the primary.

Another potential candidate is "Unaffiliated" Scott Guenther who must submit signatures to be verified by August to appear on the ballot. He is not likely to be a factor in this race.

Paul Stull will be favored to repeat and look for John Thompson to win the other Republican seat. Thompson has been a long time Frederick County Commissioner, who will be running in a district, where he will do very well.

Kelly Schulz should also do well, but her initial entry into a political race will be difficult to win.

In district 4-B, where one delegate is elected, expect incumbent Republican Donald Elliott to return to Annapolis. He is facing a challenge in the Republican primary by Bret Grossnickle.

Perennial Democratic candidate Timothy Schlauch is not likely to win again, but like Paul Gilligan, is a nice man who would be an effective delegate.

Well, that is a quick review of the Frederick County, Maryland delegate and senate races. There appears to be an good chance for a Republican pick-up in district 3-A and the Democrats have an opportunity to pick up the state senate seat in district 3.

Otherwise, the Democratic and Republican representation will stay the same with a new face in district 4-A and 3-A.

Stay tuned....

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