Baltimore Del. Howard P. Rawlings withdrew as a candidate for speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates yesterday, leaving Del. Michael E. Busch of Anne Arundel County unopposed in his probable bid for one of the three most powerful positions in state government.
Busch, 55, is poised to capture the speakership if a recount confirms the Election Day loss in Western Maryland of House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr.
Rawlings had been Busch's lone apparent challenger for speaker, but said yesterday that he had "not been an energetic pursuer" and was casting his allegiance with Busch.
"That decision was made basically because I don't have the votes," Rawlings said. "The only person who has stepped forward to provide even [a] soft or lukewarm challenge is me."
The announcement portends an orderly transition, since no rival from populous Montgomery or Prince George's counties has expressed serious interest in the job.
Busch, Rawlings and Taylor appeared together yesterday at a low-key State House news conference designed to showcase unity and a seamless transfer of power within the 141-member House, which Taylor has led for nine years.
His job appears to be available because Taylor lost his campaign for re-election as a delegate to Republican LeRoy E. Myers Jr. by 71 votes.
Taylor has asked for a recount, saying the election is of "statewide importance because it involves the speakership," which along with governor and Senate president is among the most influential posts in state affairs. He described his chances of reversing the outcome as "slim but hopeful."
Results of the recount should be available Nov. 27 or Nov. 29, Taylor said, and House Democrats will meet Dec. 2 to select their next leader.
Rawlings and Busch said they dined together several times during the past week to sort out succession issues, with Busch emerging as the favorite.
Busch is known for an even-handed, casual demeanor that many colleagues find appealing. Because he is from Anne Arundel County, he's acceptable to lawmakers from both the Baltimore and Washington regions, who are frequently locked in a struggle to make sure neither metropolitan area gains an upper hand as resources are divided.
"Whether we agree or disagree on any individual issue, I respect his opinion and I think he respects my opinion," said Del. Alfred W. Redmer Jr., a Baltimore County Republican and House minority leader.
Busch first lined up votes nearly a year ago, when it appeared that Taylor would resign either to become state treasurer or to join Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend as a running mate. Rawlings said he recognized Busch's edge, and in the past week worked to make sure Busch would include minorities in key leadership positions.
"This is a bittersweet moment," Busch said yesterday, speaking from the lounge behind the House chambers with Taylor at his side. He pledged to step aside if Taylor picks up enough votes during the recount to prevail in his bid for re-election.
Busch said he was acting fast to prevent a divisive battle at a time when the Democrat-controlled House will be facing off against the first Republican governor in three decades over key legislative initiatives. "We had to take action to make sure there was a stable transition," he said.
He said he would retain most of the committee chairmen and other leaders appointed by Taylor, a pledge that doubtless helped him collect the support he needed. Rawlings, for example, is expected to keep his position as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
"I have no major plans to change leadership," Busch said, though he would not rule out some alterations. "It's no time to make radical changes everywhere."
Still, he'll be able to fill several attractive assignments, including chair of the Economic Matters Committee, which he heads; and speaker pro tem, which had been held by former Del. Thomas E. Dewberry, who resigned this year.
As a committee chairman, Busch is best known for guiding the passage of a prescription drug plan for low-income senior citizens last year, and for scrutinizing the proposed conversion of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to a for-profit company.
Busch has long been seen as a loyal lieutenant of Taylor, and he was an early supporter when Taylor sought to become speaker in 1993. Taylor rewarded him with the Economic Matters post, which Taylor previously held.
While the speaker's vacancy allows a chance for delegates from Montgomery and Prince George's to flex their muscles, no challengers have emerged. "If there were other delegates who were aspiring, they would have been here," Rawlings said.
Del. John Adams Hurson, a Montgomery County Democrat and chairman of the House Environmental Matters Committee, said Busch was a natural successor to Taylor.
Hurson predicted that if Taylor loses in the recount and Busch becomes speaker, "it will be a continuation of the consensus-building that Cas was so good at, is so good at."
Taylor has spent his tenure as speaker trying to forge a balance between the conservative nature of his Western Maryland district and the liberal-leaning tendencies of many of the Democratic delegates who kept him in power.
Unlike many past speakers, Taylor has put out an annual agenda that frequently has included many progressive policy proposals - racking up an impressive array of legislative victories. He also has pushed a concept he calls "One Maryland," seeking to direct economic aid to the state's more distressed jurisdictions.
Taylor did not speak of his future yesterday, other than to dispel talk that he might try to become state treasurer in January, when the General Assembly must elect a treasurer. Former Del. Nancy K. Kopp has been in the job for less than a year and has said she wants a full term.
"Cas Taylor has never, ever wanted to be state treasurer, nor does he now, nor will he in the future," Taylor said.