Teachers Union to Endorse Candidates

Knight (D) is running for her boss's seat, now that County Clerk Molly Q. Ruhl has announced she will retire. Griffin wants to keep his job. Neither has an opponent yet, but the filing deadline isn't until July 3.

"This is the team," County Council member Michael Subin (D) told a crowd of a few dozen in front of the courthouse. "This is the best of the best."

After the candidates took to the podium, the crowd sang Happy Birthday to Subin.

It became evident why the candidates are calling themselves a "Courthouse Quartet."

"I can't carry a tune," the sheriff admitted later.

Browning Announces Run

James Browning , former executive director of Common Cause Maryland, announced his candidacy this week for the House of Delegates in District 18. Until last month, Browning led the American Cancer Society's effort to pass statewide and local restrictions on smoking.

"I've been fighting the tough fights against big tobacco, organized gambling and the culture of corruption for five years in Annapolis," Browning said in a statement.

If elected, Browning said he would press for more state funding for education and mass transit and work to reduce health care costs and to change the way campaigns are funded.

Candidate Forums

· Democratic candidates running for county and state seats in District 20 have been invited to discuss issues at a forum from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 19, at Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd. in Silver Spring. The event is sponsored by the District 20 Democratic Caucus.

· Candidates for county executive will participate in a debate at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at the Universities of Shady Grove Conference Center Auditorium, 9630 Gudelsky Dr. in Rockville. The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County and the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations.