One of the two Republican candidates for Howard County Council's District 2 seat has withdrawn, leaving convicted felon Raymond J. Bly the lone GOP candidate in a district held by Democrats for the past 20 years.
Ananta Hejeebu, 36, of Montgomery Meadows, withdrew his candidacy Friday because of a worsening rare genetic medical condition affecting his 2-year-old son.
"I was really disappointed, but there wasn't much of a choice," the novice candidate said about his withdrawal. He needs to spend time now helping his son, he said, though he learned a lot about local politics and the working of the County Council during the several months since he declared his candidacy.
"It's been a good experience for me," he said, adding that he is helping Louis M. Pope, the party chairman, recruit a new candidate.
Bly, 52, who owns a used-appliance store on U.S. 1, south of Route 175, insists he is innocent of the child abuse charges of which he was convicted 15 years ago. He has said that one reason he is running is to make his case publicly.
"They'll find somebody else. The GOP doesn't like me because I'm a convicted felon, even though I have documented proof that I'm innocent. I represent the blue-collar people in the eastern county," Bly said yesterday, noting that "Republicans aren't [normally] blue collar."
He is more an independent than a true Republican, Bly said, though now he is carrying the GOP banner in the district.
Pope, the county's Republican Party leader, said Bly is right about the county party's view of him.
"Ray Bly does not in any way represent the party," Pope said, adding that he and Hejeebu had breakfast Friday with another possible candidate. Although he is upset to hear about Hejeebu's son's poor health, Pope said, the candidate's withdrawal a month before the filing deadline allows time to recruit another.
And Hejeebu's political career may not be over, despite his aborted run for office.
"Ananta is a very articulate, very intelligent and extremely hard-working gentleman. I do believe he will have a future in the political arena," Pope said.
Whoever is chosen by the Republicans for the Sept. 10 primary will have a distinctly uphill battle in November.
The district, covering eastern Columbia, Jessup and parts of Elkridge, has been represented by Democrat C. Vernon Gray for the past 20 years.
Three Democrats, Calvin Ball III, David A. Rakes and Michelle Williams, are vying for their party's nomination.
Wendy Fiedler, chairwoman of the county Democratic Party, said she does not think it matters which Republican runs for the seat.
"I have every reason to believe that the 2nd District council seat will remain in the Democratic column," she said.