James T. Smith |
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Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. is selling his home of 41 years in Reisterstown and plans to move next month into an apartment in Cockeysville, a downsizing that has set off speculation that he will run for the state Senate in the legislative district there.
Term-limited in the executive job, Smith, a lifelong Democrat who has served as county councilman and judge, has stated repeatedly that he intends to remain in public service. He told The Baltimore Sun in May that he was looking at statewide offices, and with a campaign account in excess of $1 million, he had been expected to challenge Democratic Comptroller Peter Franchot in a primary.
But he announced in July that he was not seeking the job as state tax collector, saying it would not be a good fit for him.
By establishing residency in the 7th District, which includes sections of Baltimore and Harford counties, he could seek the Senate seat held since 1999 by Republican Andrew P. Harris, who is planning to run for Congress a second time.
"I will have plenty of time ... to decide," said the 67-year-old Smith. "This move just makes it possible to run for the Senate. I am considering it as an available option."
Harris lost his first bid for Congress last year in a close contest with Democrat Frank Kratovil in the 1st District. He said yesterday he expects to quit the Senate and challenge Kratovil next year.
"I will probably vacate my Senate seat," Harris said, adding that he has months before the filing deadline to make an official announcement.
Republican Del. J.B. Jennings is not waiting. He wants Harris' seat and has already filed papers to become a candidate.
"As of now, I am the only candidate," Jennings said, adding that he is not intimidated by the prospect of what he called a "formidable" opponent who has strong name recognition and lots of money.
"In the 7th, he will have a cliff to climb," Jennings said. "About 40 percent of this district is in Harford County, and he is the Baltimore County executive."
Still, Jennings said, he would prefer Smith spent his entire campaign chest "to get himself elected, rather than give all that money to other Democrats."
Matthew Crenson, a retired Johns Hopkins University political science professor, called a Senate seat a "lateral move" for Smith, but a good one.
"He would have the greatest experience of any politician in Maryland, having served in all three branches of government," Crenson said. "This could be a walkover for him. He has name recognition, experience, and his conservative record would appeal to Harford voters."
And the $1 million? "That campaign fund could scare off a lot of contenders," Crenson added.
Both Jennings and Harris are critical of Smith's motivation.
"If Jim Smith wants to run for the Senate, I am surprised that he does not stay in his own district rather than carpetbag into the 7th," Harris said. "Why would voters in this district welcome someone who is trying to buy a Senate seat for $1 million?"
Voters in the district typically favor Republicans, Harris said.
"Harford County residents will not vote for a candidate whose purpose in life for the last eight years has been to serve Baltimore County," Harris said.
Smith bristled at being called a carpetbagger. He said he has established strong ties with Harford County and has worked on many joint projects with officials there.
"If I run, it will be because voters are pleased with the way I have represented them for eight years and the way we have worked together," he said. "Harford County voters probably know me as well as the present senator and delegate. I can continue serving the people I have been serving. With my collaborative efforts, that includes Harford County."
Term-limited in the executive job, Smith, a lifelong Democrat who has served as county councilman and judge, has stated repeatedly that he intends to remain in public service. He told The Baltimore Sun in May that he was looking at statewide offices, and with a campaign account in excess of $1 million, he had been expected to challenge Democratic Comptroller Peter Franchot in a primary.
But he announced in July that he was not seeking the job as state tax collector, saying it would not be a good fit for him.
By establishing residency in the 7th District, which includes sections of Baltimore and Harford counties, he could seek the Senate seat held since 1999 by Republican Andrew P. Harris, who is planning to run for Congress a second time.
"I will have plenty of time ... to decide," said the 67-year-old Smith. "This move just makes it possible to run for the Senate. I am considering it as an available option."
Harris lost his first bid for Congress last year in a close contest with Democrat Frank Kratovil in the 1st District. He said yesterday he expects to quit the Senate and challenge Kratovil next year.
"I will probably vacate my Senate seat," Harris said, adding that he has months before the filing deadline to make an official announcement.
Republican Del. J.B. Jennings is not waiting. He wants Harris' seat and has already filed papers to become a candidate.
"As of now, I am the only candidate," Jennings said, adding that he is not intimidated by the prospect of what he called a "formidable" opponent who has strong name recognition and lots of money.
"In the 7th, he will have a cliff to climb," Jennings said. "About 40 percent of this district is in Harford County, and he is the Baltimore County executive."
Still, Jennings said, he would prefer Smith spent his entire campaign chest "to get himself elected, rather than give all that money to other Democrats."
Matthew Crenson, a retired Johns Hopkins University political science professor, called a Senate seat a "lateral move" for Smith, but a good one.
"He would have the greatest experience of any politician in Maryland, having served in all three branches of government," Crenson said. "This could be a walkover for him. He has name recognition, experience, and his conservative record would appeal to Harford voters."
And the $1 million? "That campaign fund could scare off a lot of contenders," Crenson added.
Both Jennings and Harris are critical of Smith's motivation.
"If Jim Smith wants to run for the Senate, I am surprised that he does not stay in his own district rather than carpetbag into the 7th," Harris said. "Why would voters in this district welcome someone who is trying to buy a Senate seat for $1 million?"
Voters in the district typically favor Republicans, Harris said.
"Harford County residents will not vote for a candidate whose purpose in life for the last eight years has been to serve Baltimore County," Harris said.
Smith bristled at being called a carpetbagger. He said he has established strong ties with Harford County and has worked on many joint projects with officials there.
"If I run, it will be because voters are pleased with the way I have represented them for eight years and the way we have worked together," he said. "Harford County voters probably know me as well as the present senator and delegate. I can continue serving the people I have been serving. With my collaborative efforts, that includes Harford County."
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I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM RUN AND BE ELECTED AS OUR NEXT GOVERNOR........
cathygruebl (10/10/2009, 7:44 PM )