Isiah Leggett

The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee formally opposed November's slots referendum on Wednesday.

In a 16 to 1 decision, with 1 member abstaining, the committee voted to take the opposite stance of County Executive Isiah Leggett (D-Montgomery County).

Leggett reluctantly announced his support for November's slots referendum last week.

U.S. Rep. Roscoe BartlettU.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick) joined the Marylanders United to Stop Slots steering committee on Monday.

Joined by Comptroller Peter Franchot on a teleconference, Bartlett stressed that he tries not to "inject" himself into state-level issues, but said he needed to be honest with his position.

Bartlett said his objection to voting yes on November's slots referendum, which would allow up to 15,000 slot machine installations at five different locations across the state, coincided with his "objection to any gambling" that produced "sin taxes."

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett says he supports November's slots referendum not because he approves of it but because he feels he has to.

"Leadership is about making hard choices - sometimes among lesser evils," said Leggett in a statement.  

Leggett predicts Maryland won't be increasing taxes in the near future and says huge budget cuts aren't the solution to the state's fiscal woes.

When Marilyn Praisner (D) passed away on Feb. 1 she left a legacy of service and dedication to the people of Montgomery County. The fourth district councilwoman had served since 1990; the longest serving woman in the council’s history. Her death left a deep hole in the council, one that her husband, Don Praisner (D-Silver Spring), hopes to fill.

“My wife and I shared ideas and had discussions about the important issues facing the district,” Praisner told PolitickerMD.com.

Praisner is one of four Democratic candidates competing in Tuesday’s special primary election to fill the vacant seat. Other candidates include Nancy Navarro (D-Silver Spring), the president of the Montgomery County Board of Education, activist Steve Kanstoroom (D-Ashton), and Patrick Ryan (D-Silver Spring), a lawyer and management consultant.

“I know the council, I know the system,” Praisner said when asked why he should be elected.

“I have experience,” he added.

A resident of Montgomery County since 1947, Praisner served for 30 years as an analyst, manager, and recruiter for the CIA. His civic involvement includes work as the vice president of the Calverton Citizens Association, and time as the Democratic Precinct Chair for Precinct 05-12.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville) both expressed support today for Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to bypass a special primary election and hold a special general election in Maryland’s 4th Congressional District.

Leggett’s spokesman Patrick Lacefield said, “He’s in support of Governor O’Malley’s proposal.”

Stephanie Lundberg, Hoyer’s press secretary, told PolitickerMD.com, “Congressman Hoyer believes there is potential for this proposal to have the dual positives of seating a new representative in the current Congress and saving on the additional expense of a special primary election.”

Nancy Navarro (D-Silver Spring), the President of the Montgomery County Board of Education, officially launched her candidacy to fill the open District 4 seat on the Montgomery County Council vacated by the death of Marilyn Praisner, yesterday.

“Today, District 4 residents are calling for real solutions to pressing needs like increasing job opportunities, reducing traffic congestion, preserving green space, finding affordable housing, and securing the best education for our children,” Navarro said in a statement.

“District 4 deserves a representative who will find balanced, thoughtful solutions, not offer false choices between one set of interests or another,” she added. “District 4 needs a representative who is not afraid to bring everyone to the table and who does not take any of our residents for granted.”

Del. Tom HuckerEnvironmental Matters Committee member Tom Hucker will fundraise in Silver Spring this Sunday afternoon for his 2010 re-election to House of Delegates.

Hucker, who is in his first term from District 20, is the founder of Progressive Maryland, and came to the legislature with many powerful friends.

On expected list are Speaker Mike Busch, Comptroller Peter Franchot, Attorney General Doug Gansler, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, and several other legislators and councilmembers.

According to organizers, Gov. Martin O’Malley had confirmed his attendance, but his public schedule now places him spending the weekend canvassing in New Hampshire on behalf of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.