MD State Senator Jim Rosapepe Exits 2014 Comptroller Race // Citing Franchot's Decision, Rosapepe Opts for Re-Election Bid

UPDATE: An anonymous source provided the following mini-analysis about possible ramifications of the Franchot-Rosapepe domino effect:

ANONYMOUS SOURCE: Rosapepe staying put means both Ben Barnes and Joseline Pena-Melnyk, who had been mentioned as candidates for his seat, will probably stay put in the House or look elsewhere. It also means Kumar Barve will run for re-election to the House. Because Kumar was the only member of senior leadership thinking of jumping ship, unless there is a surprise announcement of a retirement by a committee chair, this means House of Delegates leadership will likely not change after the 2014 elections. This will lead to more frustration among mid-level leadership that will likely lead to more people thinking of pulling a Justin Ross - leaving the House for greener pastures.

Maryland Juice just received a major email announcement from State Senator Jim Rosapepe responding to Comptroller Peter Franchot's decision not to run for Governor in 2014. Rosapepe, a Prince George's County Democrat, was actively pursuing an exploratory bid for 2014 Comptroller. He has now decided to remain in the State Senate and seek another four-year term to represent District 21. See his press release below:

Rosapepe Comment on Franchot Announcement
Commenting on Comptroller Peter Franchot's announcement to run for re-election in 2014, Senator Jim Rosapepe (D, College Park) said:

"With my friend Comptroller Peter Franchot's announcement today that he intends to run for re-election in 2014, I am announcing my intent to run for re-election to the Maryland Senate.

My travels around our state over the past year and a half, as I've explored running for Comptroller, have allowed me to learn much more about the needs and aspirations of our people from the Bay to the mountains, from inner cities and outer suburbs to small towns and farms.  I've been humbled by the encouragement and support I've received from Democrats and Republicans, business and labor leaders, environmentalists and educators, colleagues and new acquaintances.

I know the experience has made me a better State Senator. While my interest in serving as Maryland Comptroller is undiminished, I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the 21st District, and of the state, in the Maryland Senate."

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After Franchot's announcement today, Maryland Juice expects more dominoes to fall. Numerous politicians will begin sizing up their positions and adjusting to this development. More soon!

Delegate Heather Mizeur Weighing Run for Maryland Governor // PLUS: Casino Session Becomes Tool for Statewide Candidates

STATE SEN. JIM ROSAPEPE & DELEGATE BRIAN FELDMAN TO INTRODUCE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL DURING GAMBLING SESSION

UPDATE: Shortly after we posted this article, we also received an email blast from Governor Martin O'Malley that appears to be an early pre-endorsement of Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown for Governor. Numerous politicos flagged this unusual email blast for Maryland Juice. See an excerpt below:

GOVERNOR O'MALLEY: No matter what lies ahead for Anthony in public service, I know that I will be with him 100 percent, because I believe that our State, our communities, and all Marylanders will benefit greatly with Anthony bringing people together to work for our shared priorities....

In recent  months, many Maryland politicos have been noting the clearly visible ambitions of Delegate Heather Mizeur -- Maryland Juice included. The Democratic lawmaker, after all, has been appearing at events throughout the state, aggressively raising money, and trying to raise her profile through work on hot-button issues like fracking, gambling and marriage equality. But as we get cloesr to 2014, Mizeur is now floating trial balloons for a run for Governor. Make no mistake, a Mizeur run is a bit of a dark horse move, and the candidates' fundraising will definitely matter. But if she does indeed enter the race, it could shake things up in completely unpredictable ways.

BREAKING: Delegate Heather Mizeur Announces $247,500 Cash on Hand ... for 2014 Comptroller?

Maryland Juice hopes that the other 2014 Comptroller hopefuls have been busy fundraising, because we just received a press release from Delegate Heather Mizeur announcing $247,500 cash on hand. At this point, the buzz I am hearing (though not from her) is that she is looking at the 2014 Democratic nomination for Comptroller. Any other candidates who care to send in fundraising numbers can do so at david@marylandjuice.com.

For a point of comparison, this cash haul means that Ms. Mizeur has basically caught up to former Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan (unless he reports a sudden influx of new cash in 2011). He was previously caught weighing a run himself, but will the stiff competition keep him out of the race? Take a look at the cash on hand totals from the other Comptroller's candidates at the start of last year:

Prior Fundraising Period Cash On-Hand (@ January 2011)

• Doug Duncan $294,967.13
• Heather Mizeur $166,424.19
• Kumar Barve $18,175.87
• Jim Rosapepe $8,537.84
• Galen Clagett $-4,544.09

We are still waiting to see what their current reports will show -- hopefully, any day now! In the meantime, see Del. Mizeur's self-reported numbers below: 

Heather Mizeur Reports $247,500 Cash on Hand

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland – In campaign finance reports filed with the State Board of Elections this week, Delegate Heather R. Mizeur (D – Montgomery) reported $247,537 cash on hand for the report ending January 18, 2011.

State Senator Jim Rosapepe Releases Massive List of Prominent "Advisors" for 2014 Comptroller // Plus, New Website Up

UPDATE: Sen. Rosapepe is also live with a website for his Comptroller's run: MarylandersForRosapepe.com. He's now emailing officials across the state to sign on to his committee of advisors. Check out the following banner from his new website:

Maryland Juice received the following emailed press release from State Senator Jim Rosapepe. We have only one question: What is an "advisor?"

PRESS RELEASE

Former Governors, County Executive, Senate and House Colleagues, and 62 Other Business, Education, and Democratic Leaders Advise Rosapepe on Possible Comptroller Race

Advisors include Baker, Benson, Bozzuto, Buck, Carter Conway, Colwell, Darvish, DeJuliis, Frosh, Glendening, Grasmick, Hughes, Langenberg, Lierman, Miller, Pinsky, Ramirez, Sachs, Simms, & Taylor

Senator Jim Rosapepe (D–College Park) today announced a large and diverse group of Maryland leaders to advise him on a possible bid for Maryland Comptroller in 2014:

"In today's difficult economic environment, Maryland needs leadership with broad experience in public finance and private business -- and with values reflect the progressive traditions of our state.  My career, in Maryland and internationally, spans the public and private sectors. And has given me experience needed to continue the fiscally prudent and socially responsible policies that has won Maryland a AAA bond rating for 51 years and the #1 ranked school system  in America for the 4th year in a row," Rosapepe said.

"Therefore I'm announcing today the names of initial supporters who will advise me as I consider running for State Comptroller if my friend Peter Franchot runs for Governor in 2014."

They include:

(Titles are used for identification purposes only and do not imply any institutional role.)

Sen. Jim Rosapepe's Holiday Card: Possible Comptroller's Run and an Event with Former Senator Paul Sarbanes

Maryland Juice received the following interesting email Holiday Card from State Senator Jim Rosapepe. We previously mentioned that he was likely to run for Comptroller in 2014, and it appears he is advancing this plan. See the email below:

Wishing you joy during the holidays and in the new year! .  Merry Christmas and  Happy New Year from Jim and Sheilah

In the Senate, Jim now co-chairs the Joint Audit Committee, as well as the Technology Committee. With the terrific new president of the University of Maryland, Wallace Loh, Jim is leading efforts to launch rigorous public charter schools in Prince George’s. Despite the troubled world economy, Jim's investments have expanded, in Maryland, Europe and Brazil. And with his friend Peter Franchot expected to run for governor in 2014, Jim has been talking with people across Maryland about running for State Comptroller.

Gen. Wesley Clark to Maryland Juice: The Truth About Sen. Rosapepe

Last week Maryland Juice went out on a limb and outed State Senator Jim Rosapepe as a candidate for 2014 Maryland Comptroller.

In doing so, Maryland Juice apparently attracted a new reader: former Presidential candidate General Wesley Clark!

Our elegantly titled article, OUTED: Jim Rosapepe for Comptroller // Moustache for Lt. Comptroller, provided some historical context for Rosapepe's 2006 State Senate primary, but we apparently quoted a Daily Kos diary from user Sharon in MD that contained some inaccurate information:

"Jim Rosapepe may be a familiar name to Howard Dean supporters in Maryland as he supported the Dean candidacy in 2004." 

2004 Presidential Candidate and Retired Army General Wesley Clark contacted Maryland Juice to provide this correction:

OUTED: Jim Rosapepe for Comptroller // Moustache for Lt. Comptroller

UPDATE: General Wesley Clark corrects Maryland Juice's article below, noting that Rosapepe did not support Howard Dean in 2004. Also, in the comments to this post, Prince George's Councilmember Mel Franklin appears to offer both a correction to this post and an early endorsement of Senator Rosapepe for Comptroller. Here is an excerpt: "Senator Rosapepe was a strong Clark supporter, not a Dean supporter... If the Comptroller position becomes available, Jim is definitely the right person to fill it."

Okay, I'll keep this short and sweet. I'm outing Maryland Senator Jim Rosapepe as a candidate for 2014 Comptroller. Now, I don't normally like to engage in unattributed news (*snicker*), but multiple very credible sources are now confirming that the moustached man from Prince George's has told them directly, that he is indeed running for Comptroller in 2014 -- obvious caveat: if Franchot runs for Governor.

From what I can gather, Senator Rosapepe is conducting a whirlwind of meetings with political movers and shakers from around the state. One source noted that Rosapepe's interest in the office shouldn't be surprising, because he's previously flirted with the idea of a bid for Comptroller.

2014 Comptroller: Frederick Del. Clagett Forms Exploratory Committee // Plus, Mike Miller on Dogs?

The Frederick News Post is reporting that retiring State Delegate Galen Clagett is one step closer to a run for Maryland Comptroller. Clagett previously stated he was considering a run for Comptroller or Frederick County Executive (should the position be created). Today we discover Clagett has formed an exploratory committee for Comptroller:

"Clagett said an exploratory committee was formed about two weeks ago to get a feel for his chances of election."

What happened roughly two weeks ago? Del. Kumar Barve announced he was "all in" for the Comptroller's race (assuming Peter Franchot vacates the seat). Clagett appears to be not quite as convinced as Barve, given that the News Post clarified:

Comptroller's Race Making News

Del. Kumar Barve's early confirmation of his entry into the Comptroller's race has kicked off the next round of Comptroller 2014 coverage. Our take on the race is here, but here's what others are saying.

Only 1,034 Days Until the Maryland Comptroller's Race

The usually frumpy ambiance around the Office of the Maryland Comptroller seems to be getting a re-boot, as numerous lawmakers express interest in the race -- only 1,034 days in advance of the Democratic Primary.

In an earlier post, we explained a few reasons why this race might be generating such interest. Here, we discuss a few other figures from around Maryland who are rumored to be weighing a run for Comptroller.