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A person who has been running an anti-Sen. Mike Lenett (D-Dist. 19) blog for more than a year under the alias "District 19 Reporter" has been revealed as his former legislative aide.

Virginia "Ginger" Ramsey of Annapolis said the decision to reveal her identity on July 11 was prompted by an e-mail she recently received.

In the e-mail, Ramsey said the person accused her of working for Lenett's opponent in the District 19 Senate race, Del. Roger Manno (D-Dist. 19), and helping Manno to run a smear campaign against Lenett. Ramsey said she is not working for Manno and has not seen him or Lenett since the 2009 General Assembly session.

"I decided then this is not where I wanted it to go," Ramsey said. "It's a lie, so I just had to say, ‘OK, I'm not going to let my actions be blamed on somebody else.'"

On July 15, Lenett issued a letter to voters on his campaign website, referring to Ramsey as "neither a reporter nor a resident in District 19, but a disgruntled former employee."

In the letter, Lenett also advises voters to contact him with questions or concerns, and included his e-mail address and cell phone number.

On her website, Ramsey relates the negative experiences she had working for Lenett for two-and-a-half years, alleging how she had been unfairly laid off, and accuses Lenett of putting his interests before those of his constituents.

Lenett said the allegations on Ramsey's website are not true, and he said he is not worried about the website affecting his re-election campaign.

Manno would not comment at length, but said, "The situation between Ms. Ramsey and her former employer is unfortunate, and should not detract attention from the serious issues facing residents." He would not comment further.

Ramsey said she has more than 1,000 people who subscribe to her e-mails, and hopes her words will have an impact on voters during this year's election season.

Montgomery announces new campaign manager

Del. Karen S. Montgomery (D-Dist. 14) announced that Bronwyn Beistle is her new campaign manager.

Beistle, the logistics and outreach director for Washington, D.C., think-tank Carrots and Sticks, will succeed Peter Blaes as manager. Blaes accepted a job in the White House, she said.

"Bronwyn brings a new level of energy and acumen to my State Senate campaign," Montgomery said in a statement. "Her talent in establishing campaign strategies will be invaluable to our success and her dedication is unparalleled."

Beistle's political experience includes working on the 2004 presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass).

After serving three terms in the Maryland House of Delegates, Montgomery is challenging Sen. Rona E. Kramer (D-Dist.14) for her seat in the Maryland State Senate.

GOCA, chamber to present District 2 forum

The Greater Olney Civic Association and the Olney Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a forum for the Democratic candidates in the race for the County Council seat in District 2 at 7 p.m. Monday in the Buffington Building, 3300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney.

The forum will feature candidates Sharon Dooley, Royce Hanson, Charles Kirchman, Eddie Kuhlman and Del. Craig L. Rice (D-Dist. 15).

The Republican candidate, Robin Ficker, is running unopposed in the Sept. 14 primary election and will advance directly to the Nov. 2 general election.

Those who cannot attend are invited to send issues and questions to GOCA officers or Olney Chamber Director Virginia Mauk at olneycoc@aol.com. The GOCA officers may be reached through the GOCA website, www.goca.org, by clicking on the "Contact us" tab on the home page.

County executive endorses three in District 19 delegate race

County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) has endorsed Democratic candidates Bonnie Cullison, Jay Hutchins and incumbent Del. Benjamin F. Kramer for District 19 seats in the Maryland House of Delegates.

The endorsements were confirmed Monday afternoon by county spokesman Patrick K. Lacefield.

Hutchins and Cullison also have received endorsements from members of the County Council. Hutchins has been endorsed by Councilwoman Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) and Councilman Marc Elrich (D-At large). Cullison has been endorsed by Ervin, Councilman George Leventhal (D-At large) and former County Executive Douglas Duncan (D).

Kramer was elected to the House of Delegates in 2006 and served on the Judiciary Committee.

In addition to Cullison and Hutchins, Democrats Sam Arora, Hoan Dang and Vivian Scretchen and Republican Linn Rivera also are in the race for one of three District 19 delegate seats.