Democrat Destiny Drake West has entered the 6th District congressional race. West campaign photo.
The former Del. Rep. Neil C. Parrott (R-Washington) hopes the third time’s the charm.
Parrott, the GOP candidate for Congress in the 6th District in 2020 and 2022, announced Tuesday that he has created an exploratory committee ahead of a possible 2024 run.
“My wife and I are talking and praying about running for election in 2024,” Parrott said in a statement. “We are exploring the race and are very grateful for the huge amount of support we received in 2022 and for so many people who encouraged us to run in 2024.”
Parrott finished 20 points behind U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-6th) in 2020, when the district heavily favored Democrats. But after Parrott and other Republicans sued to challenge new district lines proposed by the General Assembly after the 2020 census, the district, which covers parts of Montgomery County and most of western Maryland, was became considerably more competitive. Parrott held Trone to a 9-point margin of victory last fall.
Trone is running for the U.S. Senate this election cycle, suggesting that District 6, without Trone’s heavy personal investment in a re-election race, could be even more competitive next year.
Three Republicans have already entered the race: retired police officer Chris Hyser, grocery store clerk Todd Pugilisi and Air Force veteran Mariela Roca, who sought the nomination in 2022. And the ex Del. Brenda J. Thiam (R-Washington) filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission earlier this month to become a candidate, though she has yet to make a formal announcement.
Other Republicans mulling the run include state House Minority Leader Jason C. Buckel (R-Allegany) and former Maryland Budget Secretary David Brinkley.
On the Democratic side, Destiny Drake West, who runs a think tank that works to advance women’s issues, entered the race last week, saying the 6th District needs new leadership that reflects the diversity of the district
“When so many families are suffering, we cannot continue doing business as usual in Washington,” he said in a statement. “We need an effective leader who understands the needs of our diverse communities and works tirelessly with the people of the district to turn hopes and dreams into real action.”
West has done policy work at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the US Department of Health and Human Services and on Capitol Hill. He has also worked as a legislative aide in Maryland for state Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George’s) and former Sen. Obie Patterson (D-Prince George’s).
Benson called West “a truly outstanding rising star.”
West, 37, lives in Germantown with her husband, a retired Army officer, and their three children. His think tank is called the Drake Institute for Women’s Policy.
A handful of Democrats have already filed for the 6th District race, and many more are considering it.
Stronach adds Evans to the pressure effort
The owners of the Preakness, Pimlico and Laurel racetracks added another big hitter to their Annapolis lobbying arsenal.
The Maryland Jockey Club hired powerful lobbyist Gerry Evans in June, according to Maryland State Ethics Commission filings.
The addition of Evans, his daughter Hayley Evans and Derrick Green adds lobbying muscle and a relationship with Gov. Wes Moore (D). Green worked on the Moore campaign.
The trio also represents the related Maryland Turf Caterers. The organization, owned by Canada-based Stronach Group, was previously represented by Rifkin Weiner Livingston. That relationship continues, according to ethics commission documents.
Stronach Group’s Maryland racing subsidiary and state officials are edging closer to a showdown over the future of horse racing and the annual Preakness Stakes that includes a threat to take the Pimlico and Laurel properties by domain eminent
Glassman hangs his lobby roof
A former Harford County executive and state senator is joining the ranks of the lobbying group.
Barry Glassman said Monday that he has officially opened his company, Deer Creek Government Relations.
The announcement follows what Glassman called “a soft opening during the most recent session of the General Assembly where he represented Harford County sheriff’s deputies and a Perryville-based cannabis company.
The former elected official currently has three clients registered with the Maryland State Ethics Commission. It also represents a small number of clients before some local governments.
Glassman is barred from representing clients before Harford County government for a period of one year. That cooling off period ends Dec. 6, Glassman said.
MML honors Spiegel, Barve
The Maryland Municipal League recognized two Montgomery County legislators with lifetime awards at the league’s annual conference.
Ryan Spiegel, former MML president and delegate-elect who is expected to be sworn in next week to represent District 17 in the House of Delegates, received a lifetime achievement award for his four-term work at Gaithersburg City Hall.
The league honored Public Service Commissioner Kumar Barve, whom Spiegel will replace at the General Assembly, with an honorary lifetime membership. Barve retired from the House of Delegates, where he had served since 1991, this spring. The first Indian-American lawmaker elected in the United States, Barve held several leadership positions in the House, including Majority Leader, Montgomery County House Caucus Chair, and Environment and Transportation Committee Chair .
During his legislative career, Barve received numerous MML awards, including the league’s Superstar Award.
“He was fair while passionate, found humor in the seriousness of his work, and knew how to get the most out of the busiest committee in Annapolis. The Public Service Commission is fortunate to have him and I look forward to working with him in his new role,” said Theresa Kuhns, MML CEO.
Spiegel’s swearing-in ceremony in Annapolis is scheduled for July 6 and will require him to resign as adviser. he uttered farewell remarks in the June 20 meeting of the mayor and the council.
The MML Lifetime Achievement Award honors a current or former elected or appointed official who has demonstrated exceptional service to Maryland municipal government and MML. Spiegel was first elected to the Gaithersburg Council in 2007.
As president of MML, Spiegel helped secure critical road user revenue funding for municipalities and guided the league through its first virtual conference during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was recognized for his work in Gaithersburg on economic development, the environment, affordable housing, fiscal responsibility and highways and transit.
“Counselor and Delegate-Designate Spiegel’s leadership before, during and after his time as president of the Maryland Municipal League has left a tremendous legacy,” Denise Mitchell, MML’s immediate past president, said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have his leadership in Annapolis and to continue his good work as a member of the House of Delegates.”
MML elects new board members
The Maryland Municipal League inducted new board members at its annual conference in Ocean City this week.
Mayor John Carroll of Galena, a small town in eastern Kent County, will serve as chairman next year. Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor is the president-elect.
The Maryland Municipal League represents 157 Maryland municipal governments and two special taxing districts.
“I am humbled and excited to take the reins of our great organization,” Carroll said in a statement. “From Oakland to Ocean City, from the Northeast to North Brunswick, I look forward to traveling across our great state, engaging with our members and continuing to grow our League’s presence in Annapolis. We are committed to all members , big or small”.
Here’s the rest of the league’s new Board of Directors:
Immediate Past President: College Park Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell District 1 Vice President: Pocomoke City Mayor Todd Nock District 2 Vice President: Rock Hall Mayor James Cook District 3 Vice President: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott District 4 Vice President : Port Tobacco Mayor Andrzej Marciniak District 5 Vice President: Rockville Councilman Monique Ashton District 6 Vice President: Myersville Councilman Wayne Creadick District 7 Vice President: Frostburg Commissioner Kevin Grove District 8 Vice President: Boonsboro Mayor Howard Long Vice President of District 9: Colmar Manor Councilor Melinda Mendoza Vice President District 10: Charlestown Commissioner Loucretia Wood Vice President District 11: Hampstead Mayor Christopher Nevin
Mount Rainier Mayor Celina Benitez, Colmar Manor Mayor Monica Casanas, LaPlata Mayor Jeannine James, Bladensburg Mayor Takisha James, Union Bridge Mayor Perry L. Jones, Jr., Leonardtown Council Vice President Jay Mattingly, Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss, Cheverly Mayor Kayce Munyeneh, Berlin Mayor Zachary Tyndall and Hampstead Councilman David Unglesbee.
Non-voting board members are Takoma Park Councilwoman Cindy Dyballa, Greenbelt Mayor Pro Tem Emmett Jordan and MML CEO Theresa Kuhns.
In the field of personnel
Dylan Behler, who has held various political and policy positions for state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel), most recently as chief of staff, is headed to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where he will become in the agency’s legislative director early next month.
He will become the first person to hold the position permanently since Gov. Wes Moore (D) took office in January. The job had been filled on an interim basis by Emily H. Wilson, who had been DNR’s director of land acquisition and planning since the early days of the Hogan administration.
Elfreth paid tribute this week to Behler, who volunteered for her first campaign in 2018, and said he was “more than proud” to have been selected to join the Moore administration.
“Dylan has been my right hand man and has played a leading role in all 84 bills we have passed and the tens of millions of dollars in state funding brought home to the residents of District 30,” he wrote on Facebook . “She has been responsible for shaping major state policies, providing critical services to struggling constituents, keeping every train running on time and making sure every voice is heard. She quickly earned the respect of staff and other senators. His work ethic and compassion for others made me a better senator and a better person. I am fortunate to count him as a friend.”
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