William Donald Schaefer has launched the first broadcast ad of his re-election bid for comptroller, a folksy first-person radio spot emphasizing his years of public service with “a name you can trust.”
One of his Democratic primary opponents, Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens, called it “a nice ad” and said, “I?d like to do the same ad myself.”
But Del. Peter Franchot, the other Democrat in the race, “found it very odd that he would bring up that there was no scandal or hint of impropriety” during Schaefer?s 50 years in public office.
“Nobody doubts William Donald Schaefer?s personal integrity,” Franchot said. “What?s in question is his close alliance with Bob Ehrlich?s divisive agenda.”
Although the primary is just five weeks from Tuesday, Franchot said, “it?s still very early for an incumbent that?s been in office for 50 years” to be running ads. “It?s obviously proof that he?s deeply vulnerable in the Democratic primary.”
What Owens liked about the ad is that it emphasized “the constitutional role of the comptroller.” In the ad, Schaefer says, “it?s my job to watch the money. ? It?s not the government?s money. It isn?t my money. It?s your money.”
Owens says that Franchot has brought up too many extraneous issues that have little to do with the comptroller?s role as chief financial officer of the state.
Franchot, for instance, staged an event in Baltimore Thursday at which he proposed tripling the amount of money the state spends on health services for women.
The Montgomery County delegate urged Owens and Schaefer to support legislation requiring Wal-Mart and other large employers to pay their fair share of health care costs.
Asked what the proposal had to do with the comptroller?s office, Franchot pointed to Schaefer?s votes on the board of Public Works to support Gov. Ehrlich?s cuts in health care spending.
Like Owens, Franchot said he too plans on airing campaign commercials soon. He said he will have “a very strong finance report” next week after the books close on campaign contributions. “My supporters will be very impressed.”
Owens campaign aide Sushant Sidh said they hope to have their TV and radio ads up by Aug. 15, but they?ve already been doing several recorded phone messages.
Owens? name recognition has gone up recently due to positive media coverage of her work as executive, Sidh said.
