Del. Doyle Niemann to Vacate Maryland House to Run for Prince George's County Council // PLUS: Will Campos for Delegate?

Maryland Juice just received the email blast below from Delegate Doyle Niemann indicating he is retiring from the House of Delegates to run for the Prince George's County Council in the June 2014 Democratic Primary. Del. Niemann currently represents District 47 in the House of Delegates, in a 3-member district alongside Jolene Ivey and Michael Summers. But notably, District 47 was split into two new districts in last year's state legislative redistricting. In 2014, D47 will become District 47A (a two-member majority African American district) and District 47B (a single-member majority Hispanic district).

With this change ahead of him, Niemann is now leaving the legislature to run for the District 2 seat on the Prince George's Council currently held by Councilmember Will Campos. The announcement represents a bit of musical chairs, given that The Gazette reported last year that Campos' is likely to exit the Council to run for the new House of Delegates District 47B (excerpt below):

GAZETTE: Campos became the first Latino member of the council after winning a Nov. 2, 2004, special election to replace a council member who resigned. He was successful in both re-election bids in 2006 and 2010. Once his term ends, Campos said he is considering continuing his political career by running for the newly created District 47b delegate seat, which serves a population that is 62 percent Hispanic....

Below you can read Delegate Doyle Niemann's announcement for the Prince George's County Council:

I am running for the County Council.

A Decision for the County Council I wanted you to be one of the first to know that I am running for the Prince George's County Council in District 2 in next June's Democratic Primary rather than for reelection to the House of Delegates. It was not an easy decision. I have accomplished many things in the House that I am proud of (and I still have one more session to wrap up some unfinished business) but after much thought and advice from friends and supporters, I have come to realize that my experience may be more useful on the County Council. As a criminal prosecutor in the county for almost 16 years, as well as an elected member of the Mt. Rainier City Council, the Democratic Central Committee, the Prince George's School Board, and for the last 11 years, the Maryland House of Delegates, I have accumulated a base of experience in most of the critical areas facing our county. I want to put that to work for: Stronger code enforcement and a more aggressive approach towards dilapidated and abandoned properties.   A housing policy focused on meeting the needs of current residents--especially seniors who want to stay in the community as they age--as well asattracting new families who can strengthen our communities.   Economic development that attracts quality projects without disrupting existing neighborhoods--development tailored to our strengths and needs not just the latest fad or developer gimmick.   Law enforcement and a justice system that work to stop problems before they begin and that break the cycle of criminal behavior that has befallen too many of our young.   Schools that work--with more cooperation between the school system and the county government and more emphasis on tailoring education to the needs of our students and our community.   More effective and efficient services--a government in which citizens are treated with respect and problems are addressed in a timely fashion. I will be expanding on these points in the future. In the meantime, I need your help. Spread the word. Invite me to meet your neighbors and community groups.   Join the campaign committee now being formed.   Agree to put up a lawn sign in the Spring.   Join me in going door to door.   Make a contribution. Campaigns cost. I'd rather be indebted to you than others. Send a check to Friends of Doyle Niemann, P.O. Box 51, Mt. Rainier, MD 20712. Good government only happens when people like you get involved and make it happen. Call me at 240-606-1298 or email me at doyleniemann@verizon.net today and tell me what you think and what you will do to help. Doyle Niemann

Doug Duncan Endorses Fred Evans for MoCo School Board // Signs of a Political Return from the Former County Executive?

Tonight, former Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan endorsed former principal Fred Evans for MoCo school board (aka Board of Education District 2). Evans is running against local political activist Rebecca Smondrowski. This development is the second time this year that Duncan has come out of hiding to make a political endorsement. Notably, he supported John Delaney in last April's 6th District Congressional Primary. Is Doug Duncan trying to make a political comeback?

Read the email announcement from Doug Duncan below:

Dear Friends,

Let me explain why I strongly support Fred Evans for the Montgomery County Board of Education.

I've known Fred for over 25 years. We first met when I was a Rockville City Councilman and he was an Assistant Principal at Rockville High School, where my sister was a student. We instantly connected with one another as we discussed education, politics, and sports.  Fred has the experience, dedication and leadership you hope to find in every teacher and principal. I have always relied on him.

It is important that we have individuals with Fred’s experience and knowledge on the Board of Education. With an annual budget of over $2.3 billion, we must choose someone who truly understands the resources needed by our teachers, students, parents, and community members. We must choose someone who can look at an award winning school system and strive to make it even better.

Fred is the clear choice because, for this job,
there can be no learning curve.
Fred’s three priorities to make our strong school system better are:

• Close the existing achievement gap among our students.

• Hold a series of "Educate the Board of Education" forums to provide the community an opportunity to express what works and what needs to be improved in MCPS.

• Conduct a comprehensive study of the MCPS budget to determine which programs work, which can be improved and which should be eliminated.

To learn more about Fred visit www.FredEvans2012.com or email info@FredEvans2012.com.

Sincerely,

Doug Duncan

MCEA Sends Direct Mail for Jeanne Ellinport Featuring Sen. Rich Madaleno and Delegates Bonnie Cullison & Heather Mizeur

UPDATE #2:  Rival Board of Education candidate Rebecca Smondrowski emailed to highlight that Delegate Heather Mizeur has endorsed both herself and Jeanne Ellinport for the District 2 seat. She forwards an email blast from Delegate Mizeur, which we excerpt below:

HEATHER MIZEUR: For the Montgomery County Board of Education (a non-partisan race), there is an open seat in District 2 where county-wide votes will be tallied to advance the top two vote getters for the general election. I recommend you consider supporting either Jeanne Ellinport or Rebecca Smondrowski.  Both bring considerable passion for and experience on educational issues in the County and would make fine additions to the Board of Education.

UPDATE: In the comments section below, MCEA political director Jon Gerson explains the omission of Fred Evans from the direct mail pieces below:

JON GERSON: While Maryland Juice chose to post recent direct mail pieces sent out by MCEA in support of Board of Education candidate Jeanne Ellinport, with commentary recognizing the organization's recommendation of both Ellinport and Fred Evans in the D-2 BOE race, and noting only one candidate was featured ("interesting"), the blog/author failed to mention that MCEA provided similar support to Evans (who used the direct campaign contribution to also fund an extensive direct mailing). In addition, MCEA provided comparable resources to their recommended At-large BOE candidate, Phil Kauffman. While posting (only one of) the candidates pieces might be of interest to Maryland Juice followers, it is important to provide the full account of MCEA's support to avoid misperception by those relying on the site for information.

Montgomery County's teachers union (MCEA) is sending out three postcards in support of Board of Education District 2 candidate Jeanne Ellinport. Each postcard features a state legislator, and coincidentally, all of the endorsers are from the LGBT Caucus: State Senator Rich Madaleno (D18), Delegate Bonnie Cullison (D19) and Delegate Heather Mizeur (D20).

It is worth noting that MCEA has endorsed two candidates in the BOE District 2 race, Fred Evans and Jeanne Ellinport. Evans is not mentioned on these mail pieces. Interesting!

MCEA Direct Mail: Board of Education District 2 Candidate Jeanne Ellinport

BREAKING: Del. Richard Impallaria to Run for Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger's Seat // Plus, A New Liberty Candidate Filing?

UPDATE: The Baltimore Sun today prints an interview with Delegate Impallaria where he explains his reasons for running for Congress. Also, I believe we have identified the mysterious new gold coin-carrying Congressional candidate in Maryland: Peter James, a former CD4 candidate who was endorsed by Ron Paul in 2008. We found the following post from Mr. James on a blog today:

I filed to run in Maryland's new 6th Congressional. With a total of 8 candidate's running in the primary I believe the other will split the RHINO/neocon vote and I will win.

I ran in Maryland's 4th district in 2008 and won with 39% of the vote in a 4 way race. 14% points ahead of the party favorite, who spent twice what I did. All this with one $2,500 mailer.

Today, a Maryland Juice source reports that Delegate Pat McDonough was with Delegate Richard Impallaria today at the State Board of Elections. Mr. Impallaria was there submitting paperwork for the 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary. The seat is currently held by Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger. Republican State Senator Nancy Jacobs has already filed for the race.

Our source also noticed a potential Ron Paul supporter filing for Congress:

GOP State Senator Nancy Jacobs to Challenge Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger // MD Democrats Provide Background

Yesterday numerous media outlets confirmed that Maryland State Senator Nancy Jacobs was challenging Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger in the 2nd Congressional District. Cheryl Mattix at Elkton, MD's Cecil Whig wrote:

State Sen. Nancy Jacobs, R-34 Cecil/Harford, on Thursday announced her candidacy for the 2nd District seat in Congress currently held by incumbent C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, a Democrat and Baltimore County resident....

Over the past few months, Jacobs said she has been meeting with citizens and business owners across the district where she says the feedback has been "overwhelmingly positive."

"I'm convinced that voters are ready for a change," she said.

The Maryland Democrats responded with the following emailed press release:

HARD RIGHT JACOBS SEEKS TO BRING 

OUT OF TOUCH OBSTRUCTION TO WASHINGTON

CD4: Howard Dean Endorses Rep. Donna Edwards // CD2: Pundits Rate Sen. Nancy Jacobs v. Dutch Ruppersberger

The Huffington Post reports that former Vermont Governor and 2004 Presidential candidate Howard Dean has endorsed Rep. Donna Edwards for re-election to Maryland's 4th Congressional District:

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) and Democracy for America, a progressive PAC, have endorsed Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Donna Edwards (D-Md.) in their 2012 reelection races.

In an email to DFA members Dean states, "Few Democrats in the House of Representatives have fought harder than Donna and Raul to stop Paul Ryan's plan to end Medicare. They stood strong to defeat attempts to cut Social Security. And they have never backed down in the fight to restore the American Dream for everyone. But now their districts have been redrawn to make them significantly harder for a progressive Democrat to win."

Meanwhile over in the 2nd Congressional District, an anonymous reader has forwarded a Cecil Times analysis of GOP Sen. Nancy Jacobs' chances against Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger. In a guest appearance on WBAL last Monday, Maryland Juice stated he thought it was a longshot. Here's another take: