District 33 is the focal point of some of Anne Arundel County's most controversial issues. With the departure of Del. John G. Gary, who is running for county executive, and retiring Del. Elizabeth Smith-Anderson, many strong candidates for the House of Delegates stepped forward to deal with these problems. Alas, some of the most promising ones lost in the primary; still, voters have the chance to elect three solid representatives Tuesday.
They are two-term incumbent Democrat Marsha G. Perry; Democrat David G. Boschert, a county councilman for 10 years; and Republican Robert C. Baldwin, a building contractor, civic leader, moderate party activist and protege of former Rep. Marjorie Holt.
The other candidates are Democrat Michael Canning, who mostly seems to want to be a politician for the sake of being one; Republican Janet Greenip, who offers standard conservative rhetoric; and Republican David Almy, who offers little specificity on the issues.
We endorse Mrs. Perry based on her record as an enthusiastic delegate fighting for victims' rights, children's issues and the environment. She promises to make health and environmental problems -- particularly the perplexing question of why Anne Arundel's cancer rate is so high -- a priority during her third term. We have no doubt she will be as good as her word.
As a county councilman, Mr. Boschert once suffered a reputation for fence-sitting on controversial issues. But he has grown in office these past four years, during which he served as council chairman and often as the swing vote. He put his political future on the line in 1993 when he angered the business and tobacco lobbies by changing his mind in favor of a tough anti-smoking bill. He's not the world's most brilliant legislator, but he's a conscientious constituent servant and an astute politician.
Mr. Baldwin would bring a pro-business view to the General Assembly in a period when Maryland needs to be more hospitable to business. At the same time, he supports increased recycling and better environmental regulation. Unlike many Republican candidates this year, he speaks his own mind instead of reciting party dogma.
District 33 Sen. John A. Cade is unopposed.