Gwendolyn Britt

I hope all of you read the story in yesterday’s Washington Post (published May 6) regarding the alleged screws being put to Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Terrance Sheridan by the office Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) and Prince George’s Senator Nathaniel Exum (D-Dist. 24) in regards to having an inspection license issued to a garage that in a five month period, gave out more than double the number of inspection certificates when compared to other garages in the same period.

I admittedly did not see the story, which is kind of odd because I glanced over the front page. Turns out that the article was below the fold. I did not hear about the story until I was driving up to Aberdeen for the first of I hope many appearances in studio on the WAMD (970AM) program “Word on the Street with Warren Monks.” (I was listening to the commish, Ed Norris on WHFS (105.7FM))

I do not know what is more appalling in this situation. Is it the fact that despite at least three MSP superintendents (including Norris) backed up the now former commander of the division, Capt. Robert Bambary, in refusing to issue a new license to the Capital Heights garage, O’Malley’s office stepped in at the behest of Exum? How about Exum’s conspiracy theory of the MSP was “acting as the prosecutor, the judge and the jury” in addition to his long shot “jail” comparison? Or, is it the inflammatory possibility that he whipped out the race card to hold up the confirmation of Sheridan, just to help out a business that was not in his district?

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199 United Healthcare Workers East, Maryland Division, has endorsed Mayor Adam Ortiz (D-Edmonston) in his bid to fill the open District 5 Prince George's County Council seat vacated by David Harrington, who replaced the deceased Sen. Gwendolyn Britt in the General Assembly.

The union also endorsed Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) in her successful Democratic primary campaign in Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District.

“Like Donna Edwards, Adam Ortiz is a new kind of leader in Prince George’s County,” John Reid, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Maryland Division, said in a statement. “By putting people before politics, Adam Ortiz will be a fresh voice and a force for change on the county council.”

Several candidates have already declared their intentions to fill the open District 5 Prince George’s County Council seat, vacated by David Harrington, who replaced the deceased Gwendolyn Britt in the state Senate.

Andrea Fletcher Harrison, a longtime aide to Harrington, has announced her candidacy to fill the seat. Harrison is the daughter of former council member James C. Fletcher, Jr. In 2002, she ran for a House Delegate position in District 24, but did not make it past the Democratic primary.

While Harrington’s support for Harrison may help her bid, Adrion Howell, another candidate, has the backing of Kweisi Mfume, the former president of the NAACP and Maryland congressman.

Howell, a Democratic strategist, is also reported to be actively seeking the endorsement of Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson. The two men are close, and Howell used to serve as Johnson’s liaison to the county council.

With Johnson's Help, Baker Thwarted Again

Former Del. Rushern Baker: Addressing the PG Democratic Central Committee LANDOVER - David Harrington, chairman of the Prince George's County Council, was selected by the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee to fill the vacant District 47 Senate seat here last night.

Harrington received 12 of the 23 votes cast by the central committee, with chairman Terry Speigner casting the deciding vote in Harrington's favor over former Del. Rushern Baker, who received 11 votes.

The committee's recommendation will now be sent to Gov. Martin O'Malley for approval. Once approved, Harrington will serve the remainder of the District 47 term left vacant by the death of Sen. Gwendolyn Britt on Jan. 12. The current term runs through 2010.

Delegate Jolene Ivey did not receive a vote from the central committee. Travis Britt, the husband of the late senator, had been a candidate, but he withdrew his name from consideration prior to the vote. Two other candidates, Delegates Victor Ramirez and Doyle Niemann, also withdrew. Candice Henry, a local resident and substitute school teacher also competed in the race.

The Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee will meet this evening in Landover to fill the vacancy created by the sudden death of state Sen. Gwendolyn Britt earlier this month.

At this point there appears to be no frontrunner for the District 47 seat, which Britt was elected to in 2002 and 2006. Among the contenders are her husband, Travis Britt, former Del. Rushern Baker, and Delegates Victor Ramirez, Jolene Ivey and Doyle Niemann.

The 25 Central Committee members will hear from and vote on the candidates from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Prince George's Ballroom. Their reccomendation will go to the Governor for approval.

District 47State Delegate Victor Ramirez, a candidate in the race to fill the vacant District 47 Senate seat, said his experience in the state legislature would aid his candidacy.

“Legislative experience counts for something,” Ramirez said during an interview today with PolitickerMD.com.

Ramirez has served the district in the House of Delegates since 2003. An attorney, Ramirez has served on the Judiciary Committee for the past year; previously serving on the Ways and Means Committee.

The delegate is joined by four other candidates seeking to replace the late Sen. Gwendolyn Britt, who passed away Jan. 12. Britt’s husband, Travis, is among those seeking the position.

Five candidates are now in the race to replace the late Democratic state Sen. Gwendolyn Britt who passed away Jan. 12. The Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee will meet at the Prince George's Ballroom in Landover on Wednesday night to discuss a replacement in the vacated 47th district. Their eventual recommendation will be sent to Gov. Martin O'Malley for approval.

The late senator's husband, Travis Britt, is among those vying to fill the open position. Mr. Britt will be joined by four other candidates-former Delegate Rushern Baker, and current Delegates Jolene Ivey, Doyle Niemann and Victor R. Ramirez. The current delegates all serve the 47th district.

Mr. Britt is a former teacher's assistant and liquor-license inspector. He could not be reached for comment this afternoon, but earlier this week he told the Gazette that fulfilling his wife's legacy would be his main interest, focusing on issues like gay rights and equal treatment for ex-felons.

Final respects to Prince George's County state Sen. Gwendolyn Britt can be paid at services for her Friday in Glen Dale.

The wake will take place Jan. 18 at 9:00 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. at Reid Temple AME Church, 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard in Glenn Dale.

On Thursday, her family will be present in the Senate Chambers for a 10 a.m. memoriam.

The death of Democratic state Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt will be on the minds of the Senate GOP Caucus as they gather this week, according to Theresa Goddard, the assistant to the minority caucus.

“The Senate is stunned because of the death of Gwen Britt,” Goddard told PolitickerMD.com. “It was such a sudden death.”

Goddard said the next gathering of the General Assembly would be “a very solemn occasion,” and predicted the sudden passing would likely affect the amount of work that the GOP caucus would get done in the week to come.