Simms Joins Maryland's Attorney General Race
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Thursday, June 29, 2006; 5:32 PM
Baltimore lawyer Stuart Simms today announced plans to run for state attorney general, a week after his former running mate, Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan dropped out of the race for governor.
In appearances in Baltimore and Largo, Simms, 56, cited his experience as a former Baltimore state's attorney and cabinet member as he pledged to protect Maryland residents against crime, drug abuse and "corporate greed and excess."
"My work as a prosecutor has prepared me to join with other public safety officials in this State in the fight against crime," he said. "My work as a cabinet secretary in two of the toughest agencies in state government has prepared me to work within the system to get the job done."
Under then-Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D), Simms was secretary of juvenile justice and of public safety and correctional services. But he was not well-known outside Baltimore until Duncan tapped him as his running mate in April, only to drop out of the race last week, citing problems with clinical depression.
"Doug and I had laid out a vision for moving Maryland forward and I am confident we were on the right track," Simms said. "But sometimes life throws unexpected challenges at you. Doug was forced to deal with such a challenge and I know that everyone in this room wishes him the best."
Simms, a Harvard-educated, African American politician, will bring some racial and geographic balance to a race now dominated by two Montgomery County Democrats -- State's Attorney Douglas F. Gansler and County Council member Tom Perez. Baltimore lawyer J. Wyndal Gordon also filed his candidacy papers this week, and Frederick County state's attorney Scott L. Rolle is seeking the GOP nomination.
