JUICE: Frosh Video, Gross D9A Facebook Post, D13 Family Ties, Henson vs. McFadden, MoCo School $, MCDCC Battle & More!

Below Maryland Juice provides a quick round-up of news items of interest to politicos:

JUICE #1: BRIAN FROSH RELEASES NEW WEB VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING GUN CONTROL ADVOCACY - Sen. Brian Frosh (a candidate for Attorney General) released a new web video today highlighting testimonials from national gun control advocates:



JUICE #2: OUTRAGEOUS FACEBOOK COMMENTARY FROM D9A DELEGATE CANDIDATE FRANK MIRABILE - Social media platforms are known to produce feisty back-and-forth commentary between politicos. But a Maryland Juice reader highlighted an outrageous set of comments from District 9A candidate Frank Mirabile, a Republican candidate for an open Delegate seat.  In the Facebook thread (excerpts screen-capped below), Mirabile responds to someone criticizing his stances on various issues by repeatedly insulting her physical appearance:

#TACKY: Maryland's District 9A is two-member House of Delegates district, with one open seat. D9A incumbent GOP Delegate Warren Miller is running for re-election, but there are four candidates in the Republican Primary for the one open seat: Eric Bouchat, Trent Kittleman, Kyle Lorton and Frank Mirabile. Notably, Frank Mirabile was also the 2010 Republican Congressional nominee against Congressman Elijah Cummings. I'm not sure I've seen a candidate for public office publish commentary as crass and unseemly as this before. Notably, the Facebook link appears to have been deleted, but not before a few hundred comments appeared on the thread.


JUICE #3: BIZARRE FAMILY JOCKEYING IN HOCO'S DISTRICT 13 DELEGATE RACE - Strange things are happening in the House of Delegates District 13 race. In the three-seat Howard County-anchored district, incumbents Shane Pendergrass and Frank Turner are currently filed to run for re-election. They had previously formed a slate with HoCo school board member Janet Siddiqui, but on the last day for candidates to file, Turner's protege Vanessa Atterbeary and Siddiqui's husband Nayab Siddiqui both filed for office. This appears to be a bit of a switcheroo, because Janet Siddiqui has now withdrawn from the race. The Baltimore Sun's Amanda Yeager had this to say (excerpt below):

BALTIMORE SUN: The political world got a last-minute shock Tuesday night when Nayab Siddiqui, husband of district 13 candidate and Howard County school board member Janet Siddiqui, filed to run in the same race. But as of Thursday afternoon, Janet Siddiqui is no longer up against her husband. She has officially withdrawn from the race, according to the state Board of Elections’ online list of candidates.... Other Democratic candidates include Oakland Mills community organizer Fred Eiland and Fulton lawyer Vanessa Atterbeary, who also filed at the last minute on Tuesday.

JUICE #4: JULIUS HENSON PLEDGES TO CONTINUE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SEN. NATE MCFADDEN, EVEN AS JUDGE RULES IT IS A PROBATION VIOLATION - Baltimore consultant Julius Henson was convicted of voter fraud charges for illegal robocalls he deployed on behalf of GOP Governor Bob Ehrlich. But Henson is now a candidate for State Senate against Sen. Nate McFadden, and he's pledging to continue campaigning even though a judge has ruled he's now violating his probation. The Washington Post's Paul Schwartzman reported on the development (excerpt below, H/T Maryland Reporter):

WASHINGTON POST: Julius Henson ... promised to keep running for office despite a judge’s ruling that he had violated his probation by becoming a candidate.... Henson, 64, vowed not only to appeal but also to press on with his campaign to “retire” Nathaniel J. McFadden (D), who has served in the state Senate for 18 years....  Prosecutors accused Henson of seeking to suppress turnout among African Americans during the 2010 governor’s race when he worked as a strategist for the campaign of former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R)....  At Thursday’s hearing, Emmet Davitt, Maryland’s special prosecutor, argued that the language of Henson’s probation order — barring him from working on campaigns “in any capacity” — made his candidacy a violation....

JUICE #5: MOCO UNLIKELY TO GET SCHOOL INCREASE IN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FUNDING? - The Gazette's Kate Alexander reported this week that despite surging enrollment, Montgomery County may be unlikely to receive an increase in school construction funding this year (excerpt below):

GAZETTE: Midway through Maryland’s 90-day legislative session, county lawmakers seem to hold little hope of their top legislative priority passing the General Assembly and establishing a steady, predictable stream of state money to leverage borrowing for school construction.

[MoCo Executive Ike] Leggett said the county began pushing for more school construction dollars in 2010 and was able to get some additional state money through the conventional budget process. But to keep pace with growing enrollment — about 2,000 new students each year for Montgomery County Public Schools — even more money is needed.... [Delegate Anne Kaiser’s school construction funding] bill is scheduled for a hearing March 6. The Senate version is scheduled for a hearing March 12.

JUICE #6: PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN OPPOSING ESTATE TAX CUT - Progressive Maryland's Executive Director Kate Planco Waybright recently published a guest post on Maryland Juice urging lawmakers to abandon support a cut in the state's estate tax. It appears the organization is now following up on their effort with targeted social media ad buys. Check out the screen cap sent to us by a reader below:

JUICE #7: CONTESTED RACES FOR MOCO DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE // SEE WHO IS ON THE OFFICIAL MCDCC SLATE - Bethesda Magazine's Lou Peck reported on jockeying over the upcoming Democratic Primary elections for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC). Notably, the MCDCC appoints Democrats to fill vacant legislative seats and mails sample ballots to voters recommending positions on referenda. Last year we witnessed all sorts of mayhem  when some labor unions picketed the MCDCC spring ball due to the group's support for repeal of "effects bargaining" rights in MoCo (aka Question B). This week Bethesda Magazine reported on the aftermath (excerpt below):

BETHESDA MAGAZINE: An ongoing effort to mend a rift between the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and local labor groups appears to have taken a step forward, as a party screening committee put forth a slate of candidates aimed at placing a significant number of new faces on to the 24-member MCDCC.

One party insider described behind-the-scenes developments over the past week – with the slate not finalized until shortly before Tuesday’s primary filing deadline – as “a bloodless coup in a lot of ways.”

While there will be a number of contested central committee seats in the upcoming June 24 primary – including challenges to some committee veterans – the slate proposed by a five-member screening committee headed by MCDCC Chair Gabriel Albornoz won praise from a top local labor leader....

The MCDCC sent Maryland Juice a press release announcing their selections for the official slate of recommended candidates in the June 24th primaries. Their statement noted the following (excerpt below):

MCDCC: The 2014 Democratic Leadership Team Slate is pleased to announce the candidates for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. The candidates will be on this June’s primary ballot. The slate is comprised of Democratic leaders from many different backgrounds, including: labor, non-profit, government and business. In bringing this group together, party organizers considered the diverse voices and backgrounds that represent the Democratic Party –as well as the various skills and expertise needed to effectively run the party organization....

FULL LIST OF MCDCC CANDIDATES: All of the MCDCC races are contested, except in Districts 17, 18 and 39. Below we publish the MCDCC'S choices, along with the names of candidates who are running against the slate:

• Brian Anleu, District 14
• Arthur Edmunds, District 14 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Pam Queen, District 14 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Anis Ahmed, District 15
• Tim Whitehouse, District 15 - MCDCC Slate
• Venattia W. Vann, District 15 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Kris Verma, District 15
• Wendy Cohen, District 16 - MCDCC Slate
• Loretta Jean Garcia, District 16
• Almina Khorakiwala, District 16 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Julian Haffner, District 17 - MCDCC Slate
• Jonathan Prutow, District 17 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Alan Banov, District 18 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Aaron Kaufmann, District 18 - MCDCC Slate
• Hoan Dang, District 19 - MCDCC Slate
• Harold Diamond, District 19 - (incumbent)
• Melissa Pinnick, District 19 - MCDCC Slate
• Tamika Bennett, District 20 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Ed Kimmel, District 20
• Jheanelle Wilkins, District 20 - MCDCC Slate
• Juan Cardenas, District 39 - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Mumin Barre, District 39 - MCDCC Slate
• Darrell Anderson, At Large - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Steve Boliek, At Large
• Chris Bradbury, At Large - MCDCC Slate
• Natalia Farrar, At Large
• Marjorie Goldman, At Large - MCDCC Slate - (incumbent)
• Johntel Greene, At Large - MCDCC Slate
• Michael Gruenberg, At Large - MCDCC Slate
• Dave Kunes, At Large - MCDCC Slate
• Pavel Sukhobok, At Large
• Kevin Walling, At Large - MCDCC Slate
• Erin Yeagley, At Large - MCDCC Slate

JUICE #8: MINIMUM WAGE SUPPORTERS RALLY OUTSIDE OF MARYLAND RETAILERS ASSOCIATION OFFICE - The debate over a Maryland minimum wage increase is heating up during the current Annapolis legislative session. Yesterday SEIU organized a rally outside the offices of the Maryland Retailers Association (industry opponents of the minimum wage increase). Check out some photos from the event:

JUICE #9: NEW MAP OF THE PROPOSED MOCO RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM - The newly rebooted Maryland Politics Watch (www.theseventhstate.com) posted a new map of a planned rapid transit system (RTS) for Montgomery County. The transit network below is advancing right now, but it is still in the early stages of development:

OMG: Julius Henson to Challenge Sen. Nate McFadden // Bob Ehrlich's Convicted Robocall Consultant Talks Serious Smack

UPDATE:  A Maryland Juice reader Tweeted us a link to an Examiner article by Hassan Giordano that dishes the details on Julius Henson's campaign for State Senate. Henson has some particularly incendiary comments about State Senator McFadden (excerpt below):

EXAMINER: Announcing his run on Friday, on the Frank Conaway Show on WOLB1010AM; Henson shook up the local political world doing something he hasn't done since 1972, run his own campaign for elected office....

"I've known I was going to run for this seat for about 6-months now, and it's about time someone shined a bright light on Senator [Nathaniel] McFadden as being a symbol of what's wrong with politics today," said Henson, who pointed to the Senator not even living in the East Baltimore district he's been elected to serve.

"Everyone knows he lives in Cross Keys, and he'll sell you out [the constituents] in a heartbeat to the high powered lobbyists [like Bruce Bereano] for a $5 chicken box."

Baltimore politico Doni Glover posted on his Facebook page that Julius Henson is challenging State Senator Nathaniel McFadden (District 45, Baltimore City). Henson (a Democrat) was convicted last year of charges relating to voter suppression robocalls on behalf of former GOP Governor Bob Ehrlich. WJZ described the charges as follows (excerpt below):

WJZ: [Prosecutors] say the call was an illegal trick to try to get Democrat voters to stay home by telling them Governor Martin O’Malley had already won.

"We’re OK. Relax. Everything is fine. The only thing left is to watch it on TV tonight," the call said....

Check out the following screencap of Doni Glover's announcement about the Julius Henson campaign:

ATTORNEY GENERAL 2014: Sen. Brian Frosh Claims Support of 6 Baltimore State Senators & City Council President Jack Young

Sen. Brian Frosh

BALTIMORE SUPPORT FOR BRIAN FROSH: Last July, Maryland Juice broke news that State Senator Brian Frosh was plotting a run for Attorney General in 2014. The Montgomery County progressive Democrat is currently chair of the Senate's judiciary committee, and he appears to be moving quickly to gain the support of his colleagues. Sen. Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County previously stated he would support Frosh for Attorney General. But this week The Baltimore Examiner reported that Frosh may have already lined up endorsements from key Charm City politicians (excerpt below):

EXAMINER: ...it’s through groups like BEST that members of the younger generation of voters gets to interact with local and state democratic leaders – like Senator Brian Frosh of Montgomery County, who came all the way to Baltimore last week to be apart of their latest community event. Frosh, who has served the 16th legislative district since 1995, is now seeking a statewide seat in 2014 – as he has his eyes set on the Attorney General’s post. Currently held by Doug Gansler, another democrat who many believe will run for the open Governor’s seat in 2014; Frosh seems to have the support of most of the city’s political elite – two years out! Stating that he had commitments from all six of the city’s state senators, including the support of East Baltimore native and City Council President Bernard ‘Jack’ Young, Frosh is making the rounds early in order to secure a seat sure to be highly contested – both by Democrats and Republicans alike.

If these reports are true, then the following Baltimore City State Senators are planning to endorse Brian Frosh for Attorney General:

• Sen. Catherine Pugh
• Sen. Lisa Gladden
• Sen. Joan Carter Conway
• Sen. Verna Jones-Rodwell
• Sen. Nathaniel McFadden
• Sen. Bill Ferguson

FROSH BEGINS FUNDRAISING FOR 2014: Senator Frosh is also beginning to build a war chest for a 2014 run. The Bethesda Now site recently noted that Frosh is hosting a fundraising event immediately after the Presidential election, and he's billing himself as an environmental champion (excerpt below):

BETHESDA NOW: State Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Bethesda-Chevy Chase) is raising money for a potential 2014 run at Maryland attorney general with a fundraiser touting his environmental accomplishments.

Frosh, who announced the event yesterday, confirmed his interest in running for attorney general in July and is asking for donations of $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 for an evening on Nov. 14 at an Annapolis restaurant.

MORE ON THE 2014 ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE SOON!

Senate President Mike Miller & Budget Leaders Release Statement on Maryland's May 14 Special Legislative Session

Below Maryland Juice prints a press statement from the office of Senate President Mike Miller. Ther release includes commentary on the forthcoming May 14th special session from Senators Ed Kasemeyer, Nathaniel McFadden, Rich Madaleno, Ed DeGrange, Jim Robey, and Verna Jones-Rodwell:

PRESS RELEASE

Senate Budget Leadership Announces Support for Special Session

Annapolis, Maryland – This afternoon, the Democratic leadership of the Senate Budget & Taxation committee joined together to announce their strong support for the upcoming special session, that is proposed to begin on May 14. The special session will focus exclusively on raising revenue and creating alternative cuts to avoid the currently proposed “Doomsday cuts”.

“We made significant progress in many areas of importance to our citizens this session. It was indeed unfortunate that a lack of consensus on how to move forward on the budget led us to this point, however, we recognize that our primary responsibility as a legislature is to pass a balanced budget for the year and the members of the Senate are committed to coming back to Annapolis to avoid these cuts to education, healthcare and public safety,” stated Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. “We are hopeful that the Governor and the House will work with us in the future to enact measures to resolve the remaining deficit.”

“I have always strongly believed that consensus building and compromise is the best path to reach solutions,” said Senator Ed Kasemeyer, chair of the Budget & Taxation committee. “While I am disappointed that we were not able to achieve a true compromise with the House, and we will need to address our long-term budget needs in the future, I feel strongly that we need to move forward this year on this year’s budget issues.

“Our budget this year includes over $5.7 billion for K-12 education, and billions in funding for public safety, the environment and higher education,” said Budget & Taxation Committee Vice-Chair, Senator Nathaniel McFadden. “Allowing this doomsday budget to go into place will have a harmful effect on our attempt to continue improving on education and jobs by slashing education funding, cutting positions and eliminating incentives that help to create jobs in our state. We must come back next week and pass legislation to avoid these cuts.”

“Education is the lifeblood of our state,” said Senator Richard Madaleno, chair of the Education, Business & Administration subcommittee. “After all of our positive steps forward, fully funding GCEI and being named the best school system in the country for the last four years, we cannot move back by reducing funding to K-12 education. We must move forward to ensure our students have the best education system and best educators in the country.”

“During the session, we took tremendous steps forward in creating jobs, and building a strong infrastructure for our students in the capital budget,” said Senator Ed DeGrange, Chair of the Capital Budget subcommittee and the Public Safety, Transportation, & Environment Subcommittee. “During this special session, we must come back and ensure that we do not take steps backwards on vital issues such as public safety. While I am certain there are areas of the budget which could sustain further cuts, I believe that many of the cuts contained in the doomsday budget are detrimental to our state.”

“Over the past six years, the legislature has taken tremendous steps forward to ensure that more Marylanders have health care coverage”, stated Senator Jim Robey, chair of the Health & Human Services subcommittee.  “The people who are facing the challenges associated with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and lack of basic health care that we take for granted would be severely impacted.  Now is not the time to move backwards with a Doomsday budget that would jeopardize the funding to our most vulnerable population.”

“State employees deserve a strong fiscal footing, and a sincere long-term outlook on their pensions”, stated Senator Verna Jones-Rodwell, the chair of the Pensions subcommittee. “The pension-sharing plan agreed to on Sine Die, though not perfect, will allow us to shift some of the pension costs to the counties for the next four years, while doing everything we can to ease their burden. This plan, supported by state leaders, some county leaders, the teachers and other public employees, will ensure long-term sustainability for the state while minimizing negative impact on local government.”


###