Councilman T. Bryan McIntire, who has represented the northern expanses of Baltimore County for 16 years and would like one more term, acknowledges facing the toughest challenge of his career. Five fellow Republicans are running against him in the County Council primary Sept. 14, and for the first time since 1994, the outcome of the primary won't mean the end of the campaign for the seat. Democrat Ben Sutley will oppose the Republican nominee in the general election.

"They all realize that as I have stated, I will not run again after this term," said McIntire, 80, a retired attorney. "They see this election as an opportunity to get a head start on the next election. But I am determined to win and finish what I started."

Land issues, particularly preservation of the county's working farms, dominate the campaign in the 3rd District, the largest geographical area and the only one of the seven that does not share a boundary with the city. The predominantly rural district extends north to Pennsylvania, west to Carroll County and east to Harford County.

Among the contenders are podiatrist James R. Christina; retired state worker and former teacher George H. Harman; businessman Todd Huff; electrical engineer Jeff Srnec; and education consultant Glen A. Thomas.

McIntire's opponents are saying they can bring new vision, innovation and more energy to the job. He insists seniority goes hand-in-hand with the experience the new council will need, given the four impending departures from that panel. Only three of the seven council members are seeking re-election and none is running unopposed. Two councilmen are retiring and two others are running for county executive.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the legislative body will include more newcomers than experienced members, and they will be working with a county executive who will also be new to the office.

T. Bryan McIntire

For much of his tenure, McIntire has been the lone Republican on the council, although he insists, "I never felt lonely. This is an agreeable group that respects different views. That attitude makes government what it is."

He has worked to preserve farmland from development and has championed sound land use.

"I see my role as that of a catalyst for preservation in the northern county, which is the biggest green space between Washington and New York," he said.

McIntire sees himself as a strong incumbent. Name recognition and the crowded ballot will work in his favor, he said.

"The general wisdom says numerous candidates split the vote, and that is to the incumbent's advantage," he said. "He is the best known."

James Christina

While he has no specific criticism of McIntire, Christina, 52, said the new council "needs new eyes."

"This is really the most appropriate time to have new leadership and for the new council to establish itself as a working group," he said.

The Cockeysville resident, who is director of scientific affairs for the American Podiatric Medical Association, said he now has time to fulfill long-held political aspirations. His campaign is truly grass-roots, he said, and includes door-to-door visits with voters. The county budget and a potential deficit will likely be the defining issues for candidates, he said. He also will push for zoning that preserves agriculture and favors open space.

"This is a crowded field with no burning issue to bring voters out," he said. "Whoever makes the best grass-roots effort and gets his name and face out there will get the most support."

George Harman

Harman, a retired state employee and former teacher, said he would bring a rich background in environmental, planning and community issues to the council. A Reisterstown resident, he serves on community councils and watershed associations and was appointed the council's representative on two comprehensive master plan rezoning efforts.

"My experience will lend itself to work on the council," he said. "I look on this as an opportunity to provide service in a different capacity. My campaign will be about getting the public to look at my qualifications. They won't lose anything by making a change in leadership."

He will continue efforts to preserve watershed areas and work on redeveloping the county's main corridors, such as York and Reisterstown roads.

"We need to revitalize before there is further decay," he said. "I would follow the master plan concepts for mixed-use development and pedestrian-friendly communities, where people can live and work."

Todd Huff

Huff, 42, has campaigned longer and harder than his opponents. He filed for the council seat three years ago and has been running ever since. He grew up on a Sparks farm, works as the operations manager for his family's six tire and auto centers, and is president of the community association in his Lutherville neighborhood.

"Whoever is elected needs to understand all the diverse aspects in this area that runs from densely populated centers to farmland," he said.

If elected, he would work to build communication between businesses and the communities that surround them, he said. He would streamline government and enforce existing laws rather than enact new ones. He would move forward with land preservation efforts and zoning to help farmers diversify and sustain their livelihoods. He also would increase vocational education opportunities in county schools.

"Not every kid can go to college," he said. "We need to get vo-tech back into schools to help prepare those students for the work force."

Jeff Srnec

Srnec, a 51-year-old Carney resident and electrical engineer, has avoided candidate forums, media interviews and other events in which candidates typically participate.

"I really have nothing to debate because I believe as an elected representative, my job is to represent my neighbors and vote how they wish," he wrote in an e-mail. "Sure, I have my own opinions on issues, but I am just one vote. A true democratic society is based on majority rules."

He added that he wants a return to the vision of the country's founders.

"I want to bring back the republic, even if only to my little corner of America," he wrote.

Glen Thomas

Thomas, 64, a Phoenix resident, won the Republican nomination for the council in 1998, when his neighborhood was part of District 6, only to lose in the general election to Joseph Bartenfelder, now a candidate for county executive.

The education consultant and president of the Greater Jacksonville Association said he was ready to try again. His platform includes pension reform and a four-term limit on council office. He also would give the county rather than the state authority to appoint school board members.

"The school system receives about 52 percent of the county budget, and our schools are important to the health of the county," he said. "We need that authority."

Thomas said he would work to keep planning and zoning as transparent as possible so that residents have a voice in the district's development, he said.

"In this district, we are talking about nearly all the rural parts of this county and a great deal of its suburban development," he said.

mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com