County Council endorsements
Only one seat on the Baltimore County Council is guaranteed to turn over in the next election — the 2nd District, now represented by Vicki Almond, who is running for county executive. But at least two other incumbents face tough challenges this year. Here are The Sun’s endorsements:
1st District
We like Councilman Tom Quirk. The Catonsville Democrat has an extremely strong understanding of budget issues and keeps a cool head. He can point to a record of bringing home funding to his district for new school construction and renovations. There’s really only one thing we disagree with him about, but it’s a big one: Baltimore County’s federal housing discrimination settlement.
He opposes the HOME Act, which would prohibit landlords from discriminating based on a prospective tenant’s source of income — that is, whether they receive federal housing vouchers. It’s difficult to overstate the importance of the settlement in determining Baltimore County’s future. It’s a question of whether Baltimore County will develop cancerous pockets of concentrated poverty like those that have bedeviled Baltimore City for decades. If the county doesn’t take action now — not only by passing the HOME Act but by doing even more than the consent decree requires to spread affordable housing throughout the county — it will face mounting social problems that will put the quality of life of all its residents at risk.
For that reason, we endorse Sheila Ruth in the Democratic primary. She understands the central importance of affordable housing, and she is a champion of increased transparency in county government, environmental protection and the revitalization of older communities.
Pete Melcavage II, a lawyer and former political science professor, is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
2nd District
Two strong Democratic candidates are vying to replace Ms. Almond: Izzy Patoka and Rick Yaffe. (Both support the HOME Act.) Mr. Yaffe founded Butler Medical Transport, a 300employee company, and would bring business sense to county government. But on the issue that is so often the source of tension in the county — development — Mr. Patoka’s experience as a planner in both Baltimore City and County makes him the superior choice. He understands the dangers of poorly thought out infill in established communities, plus, he has extensive experience in preparing budgets and reviewing contracts, essential skills to a councilman’s oversight role.
Businessman Michael Lee is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
3rd District
Republican Councilman A. Wade Kach has an unparalleled record of service from decades in the legislature and as a teacher. We appreciate his efforts to bringing more transparency to county government. But we believe the 3rd District could use a fresh perspective. Businessman Ed Hale Jr. is the best choice. He plans to use his private sector experience to help revitalize flagging commercial areas in the district, and he has been a regular attendee at council meetings and work sessions for the last year, so he will be able to hit the ground running.
Two good candidates are running in the Democratic primary: Towson University professor Colleen Ebacher and Bronwyn Mitchell-Strong, who has held a variety of roles in government and non-profits. (Both support the HOME Act.) Ms. MitchellStrong’s candidacy emerged from her six years as a foster parent; she wants to focus on problems that affect children. Ms. Ebacher is particularly attuned to the issues Baltimore County faces as it grows more diverse. Her views on how to make the county development smarter and more community focused give her the Sheila Ruth gets our endorsement in the Democratic primary for County Council in the 1st District. edge.
4th District
Democratic incumbent Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. faces a challenge this year from Derrick A. Burnett Sr., a business owner, architect and veteran. We endorse Mr. Jones. He was the lone supporter of the HOME Act among the council’s incumbents, and he understands that the communities that have the highest concentrations of subsidized housing now — including some in his district — are the ones with the most to gain from it.
No Republican has filed for the seat.
5th District
Republican Councilman David Marks has proven himself to be consistently independent, effective and attuned to the needs of a district that runs from Towson to Perry Hall. He has faced plenty of difficult issues associated with the redevelopment of Towson and has navigated them thoughtfully. His expertise in transportation issues is particularly valuable. We give him our enthusiastic endorsement.
In the Democratic primary, we endorse Alex Foley, who has been active in the Ridgeleigh community and wants to focus on basic county services and infrastructure.
6th District
Democratic Councilwoman Cathy Bevins is unopposed in the primary, but five Republicans are seeking to challenge her The two most serious candidates are small business owner Deb Sullivan and Ryan Nawrocki, who has held a variety of positions in the state and federal government and now runs his own business. Both are good choices, but Mr. Nawrocki’s understanding of the workings of county government is deeper and his plans for addressing the problems the district faces, from overdevelopment to subpar schools, are far more detailed. He has our endorsement.
7th District
Republican Councilman Todd Crandell is being challenged by an appealing candidate in Dave Rader, . But Mr. Crandell’s record earns our endorsement. He has been a voice for fiscal conservatism while focusing on the most important thing happening in his district: the redevelopment of the Sparrows Point peninsula into Tradepoint Atlantic.
In a two-way race, Democrat Brian Weir gets our endorsement. The long-time employee of Thompson Automotive focuses on public safety and local development issues.