Younger Democrats Are Primed to Run

Montgomery County has dozens of young, ambitious Democrats eager to make their mark in elective office. But it's never easy for a young politician to get noticed, especially when older incumbents tend to dominate the race for money and media attention.

Now, the younger set -- which according to membership criteria for the Montgomery County chapter of the Young Democrats includes Democrats under age 36 -- is becoming restless.

"We have been frustrated that there are a number of incumbents in Maryland offices who have been in office for years and years and show no movement or desire to pass the torch," said John Mahoney , a Rockville resident who is president of the Maryland Young Democrats.

At least some of the oldtimers are getting the message. When Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes announced that he would not seek reelection, one of the reasons he cited was a need for new leadership in the party.

And when Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Terry Lierman met with young Democrats this spring, he promised party support for younger candidates in 2006.

"I think the Democratic Party realizes, having lost two presidential elections, we need to do a better job of creating a farm team," Mahoney said.

But Montgomery County Democrats are not waiting for the party elders to help them out.

Earlier this year, a group of twenty- and thirty-somethings created the New Generation Montgomery PAC, which has already raised about $8,000.

"It's simply a vehicle for raising money for young candidates in Montgomery County," said Adam Luecking , a 26-year-old Kensington resident who helped start the PAC. "The idea is, if we can raise resources and make connections with people . . . we have a better chance of winning the respective races."

There could be a large crop of Montgomery candidates younger than 36 next year.

With Del. John A. Hurson (D-District 18) announcing this week that he plans to resign in October to take a job in the private sector, Luecking has been mentioned as a possible candidate to replace him.

Luecking works at the University of Maryland, where he teaches a leadership course and is an assistant director in the School of Public Policy.