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Jason Judd (D)
The relationship is at a low point, but not for the first time. On money issues like infrastructure and tax equity, there's always tension between city and county. It's likely to grow as money from the state gets tighter.

I'll stand up clear and strong in defense of the city's interests when the county acts against them, and I'll drive a hard bargain for city taxpayers. The coming debates over double taxes/tax equity and a growth "roadmap" are top of my list.

But an effective leader can do battle on some issues, and cooperate with the county to help us leverage more for the city's big, long-term needs. Here are several examples: a HUBZone business incubator, completing Monocacy Boulevard and Carroll Creek, and getting good transit options for our commuters stuck on Interstate 270.

My 15 years [of] experience bringing big players together at every level of government to deal with thorny issues — in Annapolis on tax fairness, in Washington on financial reform, and locally on workforce investments — will help us work smarter with the county.

We need a mayor who's tough and has experience dealing with the big economic issues at different levels of government. I'll be that kind of mayor.

Randy McClement (R)
The mayor is not only the chief executive of our city, but the true advocate for the city. It is the mayor's responsibility to maintain a clear and open line of communication to the residents, business owners, visitors, county representatives and state delegation.

I have done this in every single professional endeavor I have undertaken. Whether in my homeowner association management role, as the owner/operator of a small business, or in any of my civic volunteer duties, I have a history of bringing folks together to solve tough problems.

We shouldn't allow one topic of concern to dictate the status of all communications. What causes concerns is the lack of advanced communication. As mayor, I will make it my goal to communicate any and all concerns on city matters to the Board of County Commissioners and the state delegation with enough advanced notice to allow them sufficient time to provide input.

It doesn't take a community organizer to bring people together. It takes open, honest and plain-spoken dialogue, sharing ideas without pre-judging the other party as bad. We've tried the old way; look what it's gotten us. Let's give my way a try, and watch how much we can accomplish.