Maryland Community Newspapers Online
GOP turning out in Baltimore cityFriday, July 28, 2006Some Baltimore city voters in November will see something they might not have seen in past elections: Republicans. The GOP is fielding at least one candidate in each of the city’s legislative districts, either for the Senate or the House of Delegates. State GOP Chairman John M. Kane said his party has been more successful in recruiting candidates to run for office, even in a Democratic stronghold like the state’s largest city. It’s important to challenge the Democrats, Kane said. ‘‘Let democracy have its day. Let them defend their records and put their name on a position,” he said. ‘‘Whether our people win or not, it keeps us in the game.” Republicans are running in four of six Senate races and three of six House of Delegates contests. The candidacies, Kane said, are not so much about Democratic or Republican issues. Rather, the candidates are contesting the failures of City Hall and the General Assembly delegate to represent Baltimore residents. And the party isn’t picking candidates just to have names on a ballot, Kane said. ‘‘We are fielding competent candidates that have a shot. We are not fielding candidates where we know it’s a waste of time and energy,” he said. One of the candidates is Peter Kimos, who is the lone Republican running for one of three House of Delegates seats in the 46th District. He runs Peter’s, a bar and restaurant on Water Street. He had considered running for office before, but let the filing deadline pass this year. With a vacancy on the ticket, the Republican Party asked Kimos to file. Like all the city’s Annapolis delegation, the 46th District is now represented by Democrats. ‘‘I’ve got no ax to grind with them. If they’ve done a good job, they shouldn’t have a concern,” Kimos said. Keith Losoya had filed to run in the 46th’s House of Delegates race but switched to challenge Sen. George W. Della Jr. (D). The change was not at the request of GOP officials, but by Democrats in the district. ‘‘Democrats came out of the woodwork and said the seat has not been contested in something like 12 years,” Losoya said. Losoya is a partner in a software company, Journal Tek, a communications company, Wifixed, and is the executive director of the Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance. ‘‘I’m a perfect example of a family that’s constantly bombarded with reasons not to live in the city,” he said, citing high taxes, crime and the failing school system. Neither Kimos nor Losoya has run for office before. ‘‘I’ve been in the bar business for 40 years. I don’t know how to campaign, other than to speak your mind and don’t lie,” Kimos said. Kane said the party would offer candidate training schools, a get-out-the-vote drive, phone banks, coordinated volunteers and 14 new people helping the campaigns.
|
Top JobsSearch DirectoriesResources |
E-Mail This Article
Copyright © Post-Newsweek Media, Inc./Gazette.Net