One of the many, many reasons why I opted against running in
HD 12 was because I believed, correctly, that I was too new to Howard County. Having moved here in early 2011, how could I
represent the people when I was not of the community?
It has been attempted before, of course. One example leaps to mind. Back in 1992, a
businessman from New York named Sandy Pensler parachuted into Michigan to run
for a congressional seat. He was loaded but had little to no connection to the
district. So he cuts a TV ad, produced
by a well-respected GOP media operative, showing him jogging around Lansing in
a Michigan State University sweatshirt. Go Green.
The response ad by his opponent, who won the primary, was
simple and devastating. It featured a
black and white, slow-motion clip of the original spot, with a voiceover that
intoned, “Nice sweatshirt, Sandy. Is it new?”
The carpetbagger stigma stuck and Mr. Pensler never recovered. I heard the U-Haul was back at his
apartment before the vote was certified.
Which brings me to the candidacy of one Kevin Forrest
Schmidt.
Now, as a Democrat and friend of Jon Weinstein, I am not a
disinterested party. There are several
reasons why I would cast my ballot for Jon, if I resided in the First District. Among them is his long history of community
involvement. Compare that with Mr.
Schmidt, who apparently moved to Ellicott City in the 2008 – 2009 time-frame and whose record of HoCo civic engagement appears far less extensive.
It is wonderful that most Howard County residents have a
welcoming attitude toward newcomers.
That said, it is another matter entirely to elect such individuals to public office.
I am not saying that it can’t or shouldn’t be done, but, fair
or not, questions are raised. How well
does this person really know Howard County?
How well do his or her potential constituents know this person? How can this individual effectively serve the
district? Do they understand the values
and interests of their new neighbors? Are they running because they see an
opportunity or because they truly want to serve and accomplish something…and even
if the latter is the case, why now? Why
not wait until their roots stretch deeper?
Just a few thoughts going into the homestretch.
Stay tuned, as more will follow.
