The Anne Arundel Sierra Club has made a number of candidate endorsements in the November 4 election. Several of the races provide a stark contrast between environmentally supportive candidates and conservative, tax-cutting, less-government-at-any-cost opponents.
County Executive
In the County Executive race, Democrat George Johnson is running against Republican Steven Schuh. Mr. Johnson narrowly lost the County Executive race eight years ago, in part because of his strong support for a stormwater fee. Since then he has strengthened his environmental credentials by serving as Superintendent of the DNR police. He is a strong supporter of the County’s stormwater fee program and will work to further the county’s environmental programs. In contrast, his opponent opposes the pro-environment stormwater fees, wants to reduce taxes, and limit governmental programs.
County Council
At the Country Council level, two council members with strong environmental records are running for re-election: Democrat Chris Trumbauer in District 6 and Republican John Grasso in District 2. In addition, Democrat Pete Smith, who served for 18 months as the Council member for District 1 as a strong environmentalist, is running for a full term.
The Democrats have a chance to elect another environmental candidate, Patrick Armstrong, in Republican-leaning District 5, because of an upset in the Republican primary. The primary was won by a right-wing, former “Constitution Party” presidential candidate. Among his declared positions: secession of the South from the United States and all laws should be consistent with Christian religious precepts. He has been disavowed by the other Republican candidates in the County.
Another club-endorsed candidate is running in District 4, for the seat being vacated by Jamie Benoit. He is Andrew Pruski, a long-time citizen activist who has strong environmental positions.
State Legislative Races
In the State legislative races, the club’s top priority is the re-election of Speaker Mike Busch in District 30A. Over the past eight years Busch has been responsible for shepherding the passage of numerous pieces of environmental legislation, including those strengthening the State Stormwater Management Program, promoting Offshore Wind Energy, and establishing the Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund.
Also in District 30A, Chuck Ferrar, an environmentally supportive local businessman and opponent of the Crystal Spring mega-development, has a good chance of defeating Herb McMillen, an anti-environmental conservative state legislator, for the second seat in the District.
We also see opportunities in the races in Districts 30B and 33.
In the newly created District 30B, Mitchelle Stevenson, an environmental activist in Southern Anne Arundel County, has a good chance of defeating her conservative Republican opponent. In District 31A, Henry Green, an environmentally active minister, has a good chance of defeating Tony McConkey, a sitting State legislator who has been convicted of inappropriate behavior in legal and real estate matters.
Other endorsees are veteran legislators Pam Beidle and Ted Sophocleus in District 32. Both have been endorsed several times in past races.
If citizens in Anne Arundel County support the Sierra Club’s endorsed candidates mentioned above financially and with their votes, Anne Arundel County will become the most environmentally progressive County in the State.