Phil Andrews Releases “Securing Our Future Plan”
County Councilmember Phil Andrews, who is running against incumbent Ike Leggett and Doug Duncan for the Democratic nomination for county executive, released a strategic plan Monday that details five main objectives if he’s elected:
- Work with Montgomery County’s delegation to the General Assembly to ensure more fairness in the amount of state aid distributed to the county when compared with other jurisdictions
- Negotiate labor agreements that are sustainable and fair to taxpayers and county employees
- Work with local schools, universities and businesses to increase opportunities for students to obtain internships, apprenticeships and jobs.
- Focus on development near Metro stations and improve public transportation to prevent suburban sprawl and protect the environment
- Introduce a public financing system for campaigns in order to reduce the influence of special interests in elections
The full plan can be viewed on Andrews’ campaign website.
Duncan Focuses on Silver Spring Transit Center in New Ad
Doug Duncan is continuing to focus his criticism of incumbent Ike Leggett on the Silver Spring Transit Center, a major Leggett project that has been plagued by construction problems and safety issues, and is years behind schedule. In his new television ad, released Friday, Duncan stands in front of the transit center and says it’s “four years and $30 million over budget, and our county leaders have no plan to get it open. Now they say ‘maybe next year.’ I’m Doug Duncan. I’ll get this transit center open for you.” Duncan also provides information about his plans as executive, including doing “for Wheaton what we’ve done for downtown Silver Spring.” Duncan has been praised for his work in leading the development of Silver Spring during his time as county executive from 1994 to 2006.
Duncan's campaign did not respond to a question asking where the ad will run. A message accompanying the release of the ad asked supporters to chip in money to "keep this ad on the air."
We spotted Duncan campaigning with his sons over the weekend at the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival.
Leggett Receives Teachers’ Union Endorsement
Last week, County Executive Ike Leggett received the endorsement of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), which represents more than 12,000 teachers. Bethesda Magazine’s Lou Peck writes that the MCEA found that Leggett maintained the quality of local schools during difficult budget years. Leggett recently received The Washington Post’s endorsement, as well.
District 18 Delegate Candidates to Debate Wednesday
Seven Democratic candidates, including all three incumbents, are running for three seats in District 18. Al Carr, Ana Sol Gutierrez and Jeff Waldstreicher are the incumbents, with Rick Kessler, Elizabeth Matory, Emily Shetty and Natali Fani-Gonzalez vying for a seat in a district that includes Kensington, Garrett Park and parts of Silver Spring. On Wednesday, the candidates will debate from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bushey Center, 4010 Randolph Road in Silver Spring. Kessler recently made news when he accused Gutierrez of neglecting her elected duties by taking two days off during the General Assembly to vote in the Feb. 2 presidential election of her native El Salvador, according to local news blog Bethesda Now.
