Things are looking bad for Pittman’s reelection
We are 15 months from the primary election for Anne Arundel County executive and the race is finally starting to take shape.
What is certain is that Republicans and many other country residents know that change is needed. Incumbent Steuart Pittman sure has shown us that he is not up to the task of leading our county for another four years.
The county executive won a fluke victory in 2018 and has set the county on an unsustainable course of higher taxes and larger, more intrusive government. Pittman’s “leadership” over the course of the coronavirus pandemic has shown he’s more interested in left-leaning policy than good policy, particularly for county business owners.
There isn’t a lot of difference between Pittman and former President Donald Trump in one regard. Neither Pittman nor Trump expected to win. Neither Trump nor Pittman were qualified or ready to lead.
Who will the Republican nominee be? That’s a more complicated question.
The first candidate to announce was Chris Jahn, a business manager and political newcomer from Glen Burnie. I spoke to him on a recent interview of The Duckpin Podcast.
Maryland Matters reported first this week that County Councilwoman Jessica Haire has officially formed an exploratory committee to run for county executive. Her effort is being chaired by House Minority Leader Nic Kipke.
Haire has long been expected to run. She will be a formidable candidate who will be able to raise money and will appeal to moderate suburban women.
Former Del. Herb McMillan is kicking the tires on a run too. The former Annapolis City Councilman and three-term former Delegate was one of the leading proponents of reopening the county over the course of the past year. His independent streak will appeal to primary voters and his long-standing slogan, “Because It’s Your Money” will appeal to voters who are sick and tired of Pittman’s record-breaking tax hikes and spending.
Other Republicans either are considering or have been rumored to be considering a run for the county’s top spot as well. Some of those names include Councilman Nathan Volke, Del. Sid Saab, former Maryland first lady Kendel Ehrlich, and WBAL Radio personality Yuripzy Morgan.
A crowded field invariably benefits the incumbent Democrat to a point, unless for some reason Pittman himself were to draw a primary challenger.
The “progressives” perception of political purity prompts primary challengers with regularity. If Pittman is unopposed and Republicans have a crowded field, Pittman would be able to stay above the fray while Republicans duke it out.
While a crowded Republican primary helps Pittman, it only does so to a point. The Republican nominee will be favored over Pittman regardless.
Political trends and voter registration numbers benefit Republicans and not Democrats. Trump’s removal from the political scene removes the barrier that directly led to Pittman’s fluke victory in 2018. And Pittman’s failed record removes any incumbency advantage that he might have.
Remember, Anne Arundel County remains a tax-averse country. And Pittman raised taxes to historically high levels. Voters remember that.
That being said, the 2022 election is a long way off. In 2017 I wrote off Pittman and county Democrats as politically dead. Time will tell.