Howard County Council District 4 candidates Joshua Feldmark and Mary Kay Sigaty split recent endorsements for the Democratic primary ? a sign their race could be among the most hotly contested in the county.
Howard County School Board Member Sigaty was endorsed by Democracy for Howard County, the local chapter of Howard Dean?s Democracy for America, on Wednesday.
She said the endorsement represents her dedication to “liberal” issues.
“This is a group that cares about equal rights, civil liberties, the economic status of people,” she said. “It?s a liberal group and it?s in line with the kind of things I have worked for throughout my life.”
Columbia Association Board Member Feldmark, however, recently picked up the endorsement of the AFL-CIO union, bringing his total of endorsements to five including the county teacher?s union, police union, Columbia Democratic Club and Sierra Club.
“Absolutely it?s something I?m pleased about,” he said of the AFL-CIO endorsement. “I think it is important. It will be helpful in getting votes. ”
He called himself an “unconditional supporter and a real ally of the education system. I?ve worked with the environment for years, and I have a comprehension of the issues facing police officers.”
One of those endorsements came with some controversy.
Sigaty won on the initial ballot of the Columbia Democrat Club by a vote of 60-54, but Feldmark won on a final, third ballot late in the night.
Sigaty blamed the vote swing on residents leaving throughout the night.
“Because people left, the endorsement was changed,” she said.
Feldmark said the endorsement was a “barn burner,” but he was able to win over voters throughout the night.
“Through the evening, I think I picked up votes from folks,” he said.
The race represents a rematch of Feldmark and Sigaty?s last faceoff in a Columbia Association Board of Director?s race for the Wilde Lake seat in 2001.
Feldmark won that contest.
AFL-CIO endorsements for Howard County
County Executive
Ulman, Ken (D)
County Council District 1
No recommendation
County Council District 2
Ball, Calvin * (D)
County Council District 3
Terrasa, Jen (D)
County Council District 4
Feldmark, Joshua (D)
County Council District 5
Dunn, Don (D)
Judge of the Circuit Court
Becker, Louis A. *
Bernhardt, Richard S. *
Judge of the Orphans? Court
Coles Jr. Charles *
Sheriff
Fitzgerald, James F. (D)
* These candidates are incumbents.
