A Tax Rebel Triumphs With Low-Profile Tactics

In person, Ficker is polite, attentive, even possessed of a kind of high-tension charm. He is close to his three grown children, including a daughter who is a professional triathlete. He travels often to her meets and flew to see every one of his son's wrestling matches during six years at a California university.

Otherwise, his life is more about promoting (tirelessly) his business and causes and exercising than in being social. When asked to suggest a non-political acquaintance to be interviewed for this article, Ficker seemed stumped.

"Hmmm. I'll have to think about that," he said. "Who would say nice things. Hmm."

He suggested a local businessman who was big supporter of his tax-cut amendments.

"Oh, non-political? Phew. Let's see. Who's my best friend? Well, my dog doesn't talk."

It was the next day when Ficker provided the name of Amy Ginther, a University of Maryland administrator he met during workouts at Cole Field House.

Ginther said Ficker is known as a good-natured coach among the fitness crowd at the field house and credits him with improving her workout regimen. The Takoma Park resident said she didn't pay attention to Ficker Amendments in previous years but voted for it this month in part because she admires Ficker's exhausting persistence.

"He just goes at it," she said. "It might be easier on him to build coalitions, but I think it's hard for him to find people who can keep up."

Ficker said he hasn't firmed up any plans for the next Ficker Amendment, but he assumes there will be one.

"One thing I'm very interested in," he said, "is term limits."

Researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.