A former Carroll commissioner candidate hopes his new Republican club boosts political participation, cleans up the mudslinging of the past election and heals the division within the local GOP party.
“I still have people who ask, ?Are you running for office?? and the election was weeks ago,” said Doug Howard, who became Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s county campaign coordinator after his primary defeat.
The goal of the Liberty Republican Club is to encourage participation in politics year-round through trips to Washington, D.C., and scholarships, according to a statement from Howard.
Howard said in an interview that he wants the new club, which will include outgoing school board member and delegate candidate C. Scott Stone, to stoke excitement, especially among teenagers and 20-somethings, in a year when Republicans suffered losses throughout Maryland and the nation.
Candidates said this year?s commissioners? race was more negative than in the past, with advertisements attacking incumbents and challengers.
The campaign season also underscored a split within the local Republican party, with GOP commissioner incumbents Julia Gouge and Dean Minnich backing Democrat Dennis Beard, instead of another Republican, Michael Zimmer, who won the third commissioner seat.
Republican Central Committee Chairman-elect Larry Helminiak said a party rift doesn?t exist, but rather a struggle between Republicans and Democrats who have switched their affiliation to get elected.
Howard said his club?s formation is not in response to the Carroll County Republican Club being charged earlier this month with election law violations after running anti-incumbent ads.
Club President Scott Hollenbeck and Treasurer Suzanne Primoff were charged with illegal campaign finance activity and face a preliminary inquiry hearing Dec. 15 in Carroll County District Court, said Mike McDonough, deputy state prosecutor.
IF YOU GO
» What: Liberty Republican Club?s organizing meeting
» When: 6 p.m. Dec. 5
» Where: 174 Klees Mill Road, Sykesville
