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The Democratic candidates vying for a District 16 seat in the Maryland House of Delegates sweated it out July 21 to explain why they should stand out from the crowd.

The 12 candidates, seated in alphabetical order, stretched across the room inside the Bethesda Library as three oscillating fans struggled to work inside the crowded candidate forum hosted by the District 16 Democratic Club.

Candidate Craig Herskowitz was away on business.

Thirteen Democrats and three Republicans have filed for District 16, which includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac. The primary is Sept. 14.

The candidates started the night with a two-minute speech and then answered predetermined questions fielded by Del. Karen Britto (D-Dist. 16) of Chevy Chase, who was appointed to fill former District 16 Del. Bill Bronrott's seat after his departure in April to take a job with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Britto is not seeking election.

"I am honestly amazed by how many very strong people I'd never heard of before," said Janet Lowenthal of Somerset, one of about 100 people who attended the forum. "People have been desperate for an opening."

Lowenthal said this is the first time in many years that District 16 has had a "truly open seat" in the House of Delegates. Incumbents Dels. C. William Frick and Susan C. Lee were appointed to their positions in 2007 and 2002, respectively.

"This is our first time we will be able to elect," said Lucy Freeman of Somerset. "The first time to be right there in the beginning and choose."

Popular issues discussed during the forum included education, the environment and transportation, with attention also given to decriminalizing marijuana and solar energy.

When the candidates were asked who in the General Assembly they would like to emulate, most nodded toward Lee and Frick or paid homage to Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Dist. 16) of Bethesda, who was also in the crowd.

Frick and Lee mostly answered questions with a plural "we," reinforcing their ticket.

When the candidates were asked what set them apart, answers ranged from various adjectives before the word "experience" to "I'm an Eagle Scout with a law degree," from candidate Peter Dennis.

Ariana Kelly of Bethesda pointed out that she is the only woman among the Democratic challengers, while two of the three Republican candidates are women.

The last Republican elected to the District 16 House of Delegates was Connie Morella, who served from 1979 to 1986.

While the candidates were split on whether the Republicans posed a serious threat, they also parried over which one of them has the most energy-efficient lifestyle.

Dave Krencke of Glen Echo left the forum as undecided as he came in about who his favorite challenger was, but thinks the incumbents are "shoe-ins."

"Some have strengths in presentation, others have strengths in experience," said Krencke, who praised Kyle Lierman of Bethesda for being articulate. "On the other hand, there are people with solid experience, and that counts for a lot if you want them to hit the ground running."

District 16 Democratic Club President Sue Byrnes said the important thing is electing Democrats to represent the district.

"I looked around tonight and was pretty impressed with the group," Byrnes said. "My criteria is, ‘What have you done for the party?'"

The following Democrats are running in the September primary for one of three spots on the November ballot for District 16: John Adams of Potomac; Charlie Chester of Rockville; Peter Dennis of Potomac; Bill Farley of Chevy Chase; C. William Frick of Bethesda; Scott Goldberg of Bethesda; Craig Herskowitz of North Bethesda; Hrant Jamgochian of Bethesda; Ariana Kelly of Bethesda; Susan C. Lee of Bethesda; Kyle Lierman of Bethesda; Michael Sriqui of Glen Echo; and Mark Winston of Potomac.