In the Sept. 21 Montgomery Notebook, an item about how candidates endorsed by the Montgomery County Education Association fared in this month's primary elections incorrectly reported some results. Two candidates endorsed by the union for the House of Delegates, Elbridge James in District 17 and Melodye A. Berry in District 19, did not win their races. In addition, the union's political action committee received donations from the Friends of George L. Leventhal organization, not Leventhal as an individual.
Abrams Suggests He Might Run for Council
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Thursday, September 21, 2006
Fresh from losing the Republican primary for state comptroller, Montgomery school board member Stephen N. Abrams is talking with local Republican leaders about the possibility of running for an at-large County Council seat in November.
Abrams sees an opportunity to attract Democrats and independent voters with a message of moderation.
"Parties are terrific in terms of riling up activists, but most good decision making gets done in the center," he said, sounding every bit the candidate.
But it's hardly a done deal. Abrams says he's willing to run, but first one of the four at-large GOP nominees would have to step aside. The Republican Central Committee would then have to vote to allow Abrams to fill the vacancy. And, Abrams said, he wants to assess his financial and political viability.
When asked about the chance that Abrams would replace one of the GOP candidates, Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom Reinheimer confirmed the discussions but said "nothing is settled."
With 10 years on the school board and nine on Rockville City Council, Reinheimer said, Abrams "could bring some strength to the ticket and help us get a Republican elected."
"Steve clearly has some things going for him, so it could present an opportunity," Reinheimer said.
In addition to Reinheimer, the Republican at-large nominees are Adol T. Owen-Williams II , Shelly Skolnick and Amber Gnemi .
Winning at large as a Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic county would be a challenge -- something council member Howard A. Denis (R-Potomac-Bethesda) and former council member Betty Ann Krahnke were unable to do in past elections.
But Abrams is not one to shy from a challenge. It was his lawsuit and appeal that knocked council member Tom Perez (D-Silver Spring) off the ballot for attorney general.
Whither the Appointees?
If Isiah Leggett , the Democratic nominee for county executive, takes over the job in December, he will have the prerogative to replace dozens of department and agency directors, some deputies and four top aides known as special assistants.
One of County Executive Douglas M. Duncan 's senior aides, Jerry Pasternak , was spotted at Leggett's election night celebration. His appearance sparked speculation about whether Pasternak was hoping to stay on after the changing of the guard. No word from Pasternak.
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