Democrat Stuart Simms breaks down the race for attorney general in simple terms.
Two of his opponents ? Montgomery County State?s Attorney Douglas Gansler, a Democrat, and Frederick County State?s Attorney Scott Rolle, a Republican ? are striving to become super heroes of law enforcement, while Democrat Tom Perez, a member of the Montgomery County Council, wants to be governor, Simms said.
Only he, said Simms, is the right man to be Maryland?s top attorney.
“Clearly, you have two individuals who want to be super cops, one individual who wants to be governor and who would be a great county executive,” Simms said.
“But we are electing an attorney general, a person who has to be a lawyer for the state.”
Throughout a debate at the University of Baltimore School of Law on Monday night, Simms, a former Baltimore City state?s attorney, said he would be the best manager of a staff of 390 attorneys.
Unlike other candidates, Simms did not make specific campaign pledges on issues, but said he is the best equipped to recruit talented attorneys and research the data on any problem before making a decision. Rolle embraced Simms? “super cop” comment.
“If protecting our kids from sexual predators makes me super cop, then I wear that badge proudly,” he said.
Rolle said his top priority would be advocating for a bill that would make sex offenders ineligible for parole.
“Why aren?t we making sure that sex offenders aren?t getting out of jail far before their time and preying on our kids?” he asked. “If you don?t stand for something, then you stand for nothing.”
Gansler did not respond to Simms? comment, but said he?s done more as a state?s attorney than Simms has in his roles as the city?s top prosecutor, and the head of the state?s juvenile justice system and Maryland?s prisons.
“The difference between Mr. Simms and myself is not one of experience. We both have similar experiences,” Gansler said.
“The difference is what we did when we?re there. I have a track record of innovation, effectiveness and getting things done.”
Gansler also said he had not lost a “major case” in Montgomery County in eight years.
With less than three weeks before the Sept. 12 primary election, Gansler leads in fundraising. He has $1.4 million on hand, while Perez has $335,000, Simms $65,800 and Rolle $59,800.
