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Sarbanes-White Race for Cardin's Seat Offers Plenty of Contrasts
Democrat John Sarbanes, center, says that with a famous father, "it's important to present my own credentials." He's flanked by Jen Terrasa, left, Guy Guzzone, James Robey and Neil Turner in Columbia.
(By Nikki Kahn -- The Washington Post)
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"I think he's a very good model in terms of integrity and constituent service and standing up for your principles," the younger Sarbanes said.
His father became an expert in banking affairs, but the son wants to pursue health-care policy, saying the country is "ready again to solve the tremendous problem of the uninsured."
It's a topic in which Sarbanes, who represents nonprofit hospitals and senior-living providers, has expertise. In addition, he was a special assistant to Maryland State School Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick for seven years, until 2005, working with low-performing schools. And for 15 years, he was a board member and president of the Public Justice Center, a nonprofit law office in Baltimore that pursues class-action lawsuits to reform law and public policy. The center has expanded its caseload and done significant fundraising with Sarbanes's help, said Executive Director John Nethercut.
White, in his genial, low-key manner, talks about the "stark differences" between him and his better-known opponent.
"Safety and security is the single largest issue facing us," said White, who believes that illegal immigrants constitute a large part of the threat. "I'm in support of anything that stops the tide immediately, whether it's a fence or wall or military at the border." The situation, he said, would worsen with a bird flu pandemic, which he believes is likely.
White grew up in Clinton, with a father who worked for the National Security Agency and four siblings who became state troopers. Another is a prosecutor in Southern Maryland and a sixth is a U.S. Park Police officer. He pursued a business career, with degrees from Towson University and the University of Baltimore, but left his Columbia job in the food brokerage business in the 1990s to care for his dying mother.
When he returned to work eight years ago, he devised a business of marketing food, personal care and household products to such retailers as Hudson News, Staples and Home Depot. Last year, his Annapolis company, Compass Marketing Inc., had $60 million in sales representing Fortune 500 clients.
He and his wife, Kathryn, have become benefactors, supporting an arts program in county schools and starting a nonprofit foundation to aid those dealing with depression. Two years ago, White became involved in local politics, helping an Annapolis lawyer defeat an incumbent to become an Anne Arundel Circuit Court judge.
The fact that White has received scant assistance from state and national Republican committees for his campaign means, he said, that he "can't be beholden even to the Republican Party.
"We don't owe anybody. There's nobody with their hand in my pocket."
