When Anne Arundel County Democrats gather this week to endorse Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in her bid to become the next governor of Maryland, one prominent party member doesn't plan to be there - County Executive Janet S. Owens.
Owens' apparent decision to pass on the event, which is designed to allow the Democratic members of the county's General Assembly delegation to pledge their support to Townsend, has puzzled more than one of her allies.
"I never considered not going," said Del. Mary M. Rosso, a Democrat from Glen Burnie who plans to be at the endorsement rally, scheduled for noon Wednesday at the Crab Cake Factory in Annapolis. "For me it was a no-brainer. ... But it could be that Janet is going to wait for a moment that is riper for her."
Owens is a staunch Democrat whose solid relationship with Gov. Parris N. Glendening helped the county secure money for school and road construction during the past four years. But she said through a spokesman that she is not inclined to issue endorsements until she has made her plans to seek re-election official. Anyway, she is no big fan of the process - most Democrats endorsed her opponent in the 1998 primary.
But for many county Democrats, the Townsend endorsement is a natural. For the moment, she is considered the Democratic Party's best bet to keep control of the governor's office, and has won the support of such Democratic leaders as state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller; House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr.; the state's two U.S. senators, Barbara A. Mikulski and Paul S. Sarbanes; and three Democratic congressmen from Maryland.
Howard County Executive James N. Robey and Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan also have endorsed Townsend.
Politicians say those who endorse - and endorse early - stand to be rewarded with money for pet projects such as bicycle paths, community centers and school renovations.
"Oh, yes, people do keep track of endorsements," said state Sen. Philip C. Jimeno, a Brooklyn Park Democrat who is signed up to attend the Townsend event. "That's human nature. Let's not kid ourselves on that."
Townsend spokesman Michael Morrill said the lieutenant governor was not "someone who punishes people" who don't endorse her. Still, he said, she appreciates endorsements for the buzz they create.
Baltimore lawyer David M. Sheehan, Owens' husband and campaign manager, said he doubted that Townsend would hold it against Owens if she didn't attend the rally.
"I think it is important for Janet, in her position, to first orchestrate her own announcement," Sheehan said.
Memories of the endorsements Owens didn't get in the 1998 primary when she ran against Republican-turned-Democrat Diane R. Evans also could influence the county executive's thinking on whether she should endorse anyone in the gubernatorial primary, Sheehan said.
"She has a very ingrained view that those sorts of endorsements don't really matter much with the voters," Sheehan said.
Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley has toyed with a run against Townsend in the September primary. His supporters have announced a move to larger offices and the launch of a Web site.
O'Malley and Owens have worked together as members of the "Big Seven," government leaders from the state's seven largest jurisdictions, to improve public security after the terrorist attacks of September.