Hardman runs as a 'centrist' in Montgomery County

Running as a self-described “centrist,” information technology developer Thomas Hardman (R-Rockville) hopes to earn a seat on the Montgomery County Council. Hardman is one of four Republican candidates seeking the GOP nomination in the race to fill the vacant District 4 council seat left vacant by the death of Marilyn Praisner (D). A special primary election has been scheduled for April 15, while the general election will take place May 13.

“I’m not really a part of the established political community,” Hardman told PolitickerMD.com.

In 2006, Hardman made an unsuccessful run at a state delegate position in District 19.

Today, the IT developer said issues like combating gang violence and improving education standards are some of his top priorities.

“School overcrowding really bothers me,” Hardman said. “There also needs to be more and better anti-gang education in the community,” he said.

Commenting on some of his opponents, Hardman said marketing analyst Mark Fennel (R-Silver Spring) was “driven by ideology.” Fennel was the 2006 Republican nominee for the District 4 seat.

The candidate said he had not “examined” the record of another opponent, John McKinnis, a fellow IT developer. McKinnis is also a former delegate candidate and the 2004 GOP nominee in Maryland’s 4th Congressional District.

Hardman did say that McKinnis had a “solid” business background, but questioned its relevance to the election.

Robert Patton (R-Silver Spring), an athletic fields’ specialist, is also a candidate in the race for the GOP nomination.

Even if Hardman were to get the nomination, he would face an uphill climb in the heavily Democratic county. Despite this, Hardman said Republicans had to get past the idea that they were “going to lose” in Montgomery County.

“You can’t abuse people into cooperating,” Hardman said of past Republican campaigns in the county.

Hardman said he would focus on challenges that are perceived as being minimal, but that “have an impact on many lives.”