Duncan Has Completed Ticket, Allies Say
Democrat Looks to Balance Bid for Md. Governor in Selecting Baltimore Lawyer

By John Wagner and Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, April 28, 2006

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan has picked Stuart O. Simms, a Baltimore lawyer with a long track record in public service, as his running mate in Maryland's gubernatorial race, Duncan allies familiar with the process said yesterday.

The selection of Simms, a taciturn former state's attorney with strong ties to former Baltimore mayor Kurt L. Schmoke (D), adds racial and geographic balance to Duncan's ticket when the Democrat is trying to become better known in the Baltimore media market. Duncan plans to announce the choice next week.

"It was important for Doug to select someone who has the same sort of maturity and integrity Doug has," said Patricia C. Jessamy (D), Baltimore's top prosecutor, who has endorsed Duncan and advised him on his lieutenant governor pick. "I am happy and pleased to confirm the choice."

A Harvard-educated, African American lawyer, Simms, 55, served for eight years as state's attorney in Baltimore and held two Cabinet posts under Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D): secretary of juvenile justice and of public safety and correctional services.

Duncan's selection, which came three months later than the campaign pledged, was praised by many Democratic activists yesterday, although some cautioned that it is not without risk in the party primary against Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley.

Arthur Murphy, a longtime Democratic political consultant with the Annapolis-based Democracy Group, said Simms, whom he has known well for years, would make a great lieutenant governor. Still, he said, he was surprised by the choice of a candidate whose name has not appeared on a ballot in 15 years.

"I thought he would pick someone more high-profile," Murphy said. "If you're interested in governing, Stu is a great choice. If you're interested in winning an election, I'm not sure Stu would be your Number One choice."

Baltimore City Council member Kenneth N. Harris Sr., who is neutral in the Democratic primary, questioned whether Simms would attract voters not already inclined to support Duncan, given his support from Jessamy and Schmoke, Baltimore politicians of a similar generation.

"He's a respectable and honorable person, but I'm not sure what other voters he brings to the table," Harris said.

Simms, who has not returned phone calls in recent days, shared the news yesterday morning with colleagues at his law firm, Brown, Goldstein and Levy, people familiar with the selection process said.

Asked yesterday at a noon news conference whether he was close to a selection, Duncan appeared caught off guard, then said: "We're getting very close, yes. . . . We'll be making an announcement next week."

Duncan aides struggled in recent months over whether to select a running mate from the Baltimore area or from Prince George's County, home to more Democrats than any other jurisdiction in Maryland.

O'Malley, who is leading in polls, announced his selection of Del. Anthony G. Brown (D-Prince George's) in December, and Brown has been campaigning aggressively in the Washington area and other parts of the state.

Glendening, Simms's former boss, said Duncan's choice amounts to a "checkmate."

"This is a good choice, certainly equal to that of O'Malley's," said Glendening, who said he is neutral in the race. "In both cases, these are two very, very good candidates. . . . They are exceptional individuals. They are both caring and very well connected to the community, and I think each of them will serve their principals very, very well."

Glendening credited Simms for serving in two "tough, tough" Cabinet agencies. Simms had served from 1987 to 1995 as state's attorney, and during much of that time Baltimore experienced more than 300 homicides a year, a figure that has dropped under O'Malley. That, some analysts said, could make it more difficult for Duncan to attack O'Malley on crime.

During the first part of the year, speculation about Duncan's pick focused heavily on Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt (D-Prince George's). Instead, Duncan turned to Baltimore, where O'Malley is far better known and polls show that Duncan trails.

Schmoke, an early Duncan supporter, said Simms "knows the politics of the Baltimore region well, but I also think he's going to help [Duncan] throughout the state ."

Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George's) said Duncan's decision to go to Baltimore "doesn't necessarily help him in Prince George's." But Currie, who is close to Brown, said Duncan's fate in a neighboring county is more likely to rise or fall on Duncan's reputation.

U.S. Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.), a Duncan ally from Prince George's, said Duncan was smart to reach out to Baltimore.

"It brings together the Washington suburbs and Baltimore City, so I think it is an ideal selection," Wynn said, adding that the choice should silence critics. "It reestablishes the strength of Duncan's campaign, that he can get a top quality candidate."