Newspaper readers who bother with politics have likely read that Lt. Gov. Michael Steele is the “likely” Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.
That?s something that state GOP leaders would like voters to believe, and candidate-weary reporters would prefer to happen, since it means they don?t have to pay attention to the other six Republicans who have also filed for the seat.
Steele may be the best known of the bunch, but he?s not even the only black man in the pack. The other is Corrogan Vaughn, 40, of Baltimore, son of a Baptist preacher in the city. Vaughn has been running since July 2005.
Melanie Wooten, Vaughn?s chief of staff, said, “The three people in charge of the Republican Party in Maryland voted that the anointed one was the handpicked candidate.”
She said Vaughn has been speaking and doing grassroots organizing, emphasizing family and marriage values and a strong national defense.
Wooten has sent out press releases to media organizations about Vaughn?s positions, but “it was like making paper airplanes and sending them out the window,” she said.
Daniel “The Wig Man” Vovak, as his name will appear on GOP ballots, has gained notoriety by wearing an 18th-century white wig to all events. “always wear the wig,” plus a modern suit and tie, said Vovak, a Montgomery County resident. “It helps me as an entry with people,” but it is the only light element of the campaign.
“All my issues are completely serious and sensible pretty mainstream beliefs,” he said.
Yet on his Web site (www.vovak.politicalgateway.com), his advocacy of immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq is illustrated with a photo of the cast from the old TV series “M*A*S*H*” about a field hospital in the Korean War. His opposition to all government bans on smoking is accompanied by a shot of Humphrey Bogart with a cigarette.
Vovak, a ghostwriter of books and scripts, maintains that his January entry into the contest forced Steele to campaign, and is the cause of Steele?s falling poll numbers against Democratic opponents.
Thomas Hampton, a Severna Park resident and comptroller of Pace Inc., said he got into the race more than a year ago because of “my passion for the Chesapeake Bay. We?re not making much progress.”
He doesn?t expect to win, and said, “I don?t think any of the no-name candidates really expect to win.”
Other Republicans who have filed are Ray Bly, of Jessup, Earl Gordon, of Olney, and Daniel Muffoletto, of Ellicott City.
