Election Could Tilt The Balance on Council

Death Has Left Members Divided

Montgomery County's special election Tuesday to fill the vacancy left by the late Marilyn Praisner could have far-reaching implications for the balance of power on the County Council as it decides whether to raise taxes, cut spending or revise labor agreements to cope with a deep budget shortfall.

County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and School Superintendent Jerry D. Weast have lined up behind rival candidates. Labor unions and business groups have weighed in, and the contest has created competing loyalties on a divided council.

Four Democrats and four Republicans are running in the April 15 primaries to represent the county's District 4, with the winners going on to a May 13 general election.

To Praisner's widower, Don, who is seeking to serve out her term, the contest is about protecting his wife's legacy and upholding the 2006 election results. In her final year on the nine-member council, Marilyn Praisner often led a narrow slow-growth majority on issues involving land use and development. The council was thrown off balance by her death, and Leggett has criticized it for what he contends is a failure to take financial problems seriously.

"That fifth vote is very important, and I want to be that person," said Don Praisner, 75, a Democrat and retired CIA analyst.

To school board President Nancy Navarro (Northeastern County), the growth-vs.-slow-growth debate is outdated after the county grew at a rate of less than 1 percent in the past year. Navarro, born in Venezuela, says she would better represent the county's changing demographics.

"I don't want to be the fifth vote," said Navarro, 42, during a debate last week. "The reality is, we need to bring together diverse groups of people to discuss what is a livable community."

The two other Democrats on the ballot are civic activist Steve Kanstoroom, 50, and federal government consultant Patrick E. "Pat" Ryan, 55.

On the Republican side, the candidates are marketing analyst Mark D. Fennel, 42; information technology developer Thomas Hardman, 49; real estate agent and IT businessman John McKinnis, 33; and athletic fields specialist Robert P. Patton, 33.

For nearly 17 years, Marilyn Praisner represented a district whose residents are older and more diverse than the county as a whole, with African Americans comprising about one-quarter of the population, compared with 16 percent countywide. Leisure World and Riderwood -- two retirement communities with politically active residents -- are part of the district.

The election could turn on organization, as turnout is typically low in special elections. If participation is below 20 percent, residents older than 65 could represent more than half the voters, according to Bethesda-based pollster Keith Haller.

"Voters are downright angry about taxes, growth and the economic uncertainties," Haller said. "The question is whether the explosive feelings will rise to the surface or whether this election flies under the radar screen."