Younger Democrats Are Primed to Run

But even though Ficker says he plans to spend up to a half million dollars of his own money on the race, some Republican leaders are still searching for another candidate.

Ficker is furious that GOP leaders are reluctant to support him. Last week, he sent an e-mail to supporters blasting the leadership of Tom Reinheimer , chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee.

"Please call me for my views on the inept Reinheimer leadership," Ficker wrote.

In an interview, Ficker said the local Republican Party is in shambles, so it doesn't have another viable candidate for county executive.

"They are down to their last out," he said.

There is only one Republican on the County Council, Howard A. Denis (Bethesda), whom Ficker sarcastically calls "Landslide Denis" because he barely won his last election.

"I don't know where this perfect candidate is that they want. Connie Morella is gone and she isn't coming back," said Ficker, referring to former congresswoman Constance A. Morella , a Republican who represented the heavily Democratic 8th District in the House of Representatives for eight terms.

Ficker continued, "Mr. Reinheimer is talking about some phantom candidate and he ought to be looking in front of him. . . . I am a hometown boy. I lived here all my life. . . . Here he's got someone willing to work hard, spend his money and is not a pawn of the special interests."

In an interview, Reinheimer said he's neutral because he still expects another possible Republican candidate.

"Robin needs to make his case with the Republican registered voters and they will decide," Reinheimer said. "He doesn't need to have a fight with me."

But Reinheimer, who pledges to support whoever wins the primary, is somewhat annoyed with Ficker's tactics.

"Robin really doesn't play with other Republicans, that is part of the reason he doesn't have the support of the GOP leadership," Reinheimer said. "Robin is more of a one-man show."