Anne Arundel County voters will be faced with the largest field of candidates for county executive in recent memory in September, something that could work for or against the candidates, according to local political observers.
County Executive Janet Owens is completing her second and final term in office and has announced her candidacy for state comptroller.
Dan Nataf, director of the Center for the Study of Local Issues at Anne Arundel Community College, said open seats typically spark a swell of candidates, but the executive?s race typically draws two or three people at most.
Anne Arundel County Sheriff George Johnson and Dennis Callahan, county director of recreation and parks, are both running for the Democratic nomination.
State Dels. David Boschert, and John Leopold, and Phil Bissett, Tom Angelis and Greg Nourse are all jostling for the Republican nomination.
Nataf said the large Republican field could make it difficult for the candidates to convey a clear party message.
“The party isn?t in control,” Nataf said. “Individuals are self-recruiting. There is no party heir apparent.”
But Chuck Gast, chairman of the Anne Arundel County Republican Party, disagreed and said the voters could be better served by a large field of “qualified candidates.”
“You may be splitting party resources, but this party doesn?t come in and rule with an iron fist,” Gast said. “We?re a very unified party when all is said and done. Whoever wins, we?re going to get behind him.”
The candidates have already begun stumping and knocking on doors to get their message out about the issues. All seven have campaigned on solutions for future growth and transportation needs, ways to improve school test scores and plans to preserve and protect the county?s environmental resources.
While the Republicans hope to ride the wave of optimism created by Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s first term, Democrats said the national discontent with the Republican Party could be good news for local candidates.
“The Republicans are well-known in their districts,” said Ann Marie Remillard, chairwoman of the Anne Arundel County Democratic Party, referring to Boschert and Leopold. “But the two Democratic candidates both have countywide experience.”
Anne Arundel county executive candidates
Tom Angelis
Party: Republican
Age: 59
Occupation: High-school teacher
Previous political experience: Unsuccessful 2002 Republican candidate for county executive
Phil Bissett
Party: Republican
Age: 48
Occupation: Director, MARC system
Previous political experience: House of Delegates, District 30, 1991-99
David Boschert
Party: Republican
Age: 58
Occupation: Member, House of Delegates, District 33; community and media relations consultant
Previous political experience: 10 years on Anne Arundel County Council
Dennis Callahan
Party: Democrat
Age: 64
Occupation: Anne Arundel County director ofRecreation & Parks
Previous political experience: Mayor of Annapolis, 1985
George Johnson
Party: Democrat
Age: 52
Occupation: Anne Arundel County sheriff
Previous political experience: Three terms as county sheriff
John Leopold
Party: Republican
Age: 63
Occupation: Member, House of Delegates, District 31
Previous political experience: Hawaii State House of Representatives and Hawaii State Senate, 1970-78
Greg Nourse
Party: Republican
Age: 56
Occupation: Anne Arundel County Public Schools assistant superintendent
Previous political experience: None
