Howard County Sheriff Chuck Cave lost his Democratic primary to keep his job, but he hasn?t given up.
The two-term sheriff switched parties to become a Republican and registered as a write-in candidate.
“It?s a real long shot,” Cave said Monday. “But I switched parties because some of the people supporting me are Republicans. If this is what it takes, I?ll do my best to make it happen.”
To keep his job, Cave must defeat the man who beat him in the primary, Howard County police union President James Fitzgerald, and Republican Tim Galt, a Baltimore City homicide detective.
“It?s nothing new for Chuck Cave to switch parties,” Fitzgerald said. “He?s done it before.”
Galt said he was initially “puzzled” by Cave?s move.
“But I understand,” he said. “He doesn?t want to give up a job he?s had for eight years.”
Each man says he is the best qualified to lead the county?s sheriff?s deputies, who are charged with courthouse security and serving warrants and summons, among other duties.
A former Maryland State Trooper, Cave said his experience makes him a better candidate than Galt and Fitzgerald, both of whom he said have spent little to no time in supervisory positions.
“I?ve been here for eight years as sheriff and eight years as a deputy, and there have been no real issues within the sheriff?s office,” he said. “I don?t see where my opponents? leadership or supervisory experience is better than mine.”
But Fitzgerald, a Howard County officer, said Cave?s record is one of complacency, and he avoids advancing the office technologically.
“He?s totally failed to move the sheriff?s office into the 21st century, and it?s time for a change,” Fitzgerald said.
After 10 years as a police officer in Baltimore City, Galt said he?s seeking the office to serve Howard County.
“I?ve been working in Baltimore City all my life,” he said. “Now I have the opportunity to give back to my community.”
