Extra Buzz, May 9, 2017
UPDATED 5.9. 1:45 p.m.
Stranger than Fiction
[UPDATE: WFMD's News Director Dianah Gibson interview with Williams airs on 930 AM Saturday at 7 a.m.]
A former county employee whose biggest claim to fame is a public relationship with a married elected official wants to return to Winchester Hall. Regina Williams, who worked in the finance department of Frederick County government, didn't keep her job long when CE Jan Gardner (D) was elected in 2014.
Now she wants to be the one who says, "you're fired!"
Williams, the ex-girlfriend of former county commissioner and 2014 CE Republican candidate Blaine Young, is rumored to make the announcement this week at a family-owned facility, the J-Bar W Ranch in Union Bridge. Her mom, Debbie Williams, told her church congregation on Sunday, according to a parishioner. Regina would be running as a Republican, and would likely face a primary against Council Member Kirby Delauter, and state Del. Kathy Afzali (R-Dist.4).
I don't know about you, but this CE race is shaping up to be quite the show and showdown. Will Blaine's core supporters be torn between his ex and his pal?
Republicans Smelling Blood in the Water?
A former state delegate is looking to return to Annapolis after nearly 20 years, this time as state senator representing District 3. Matt Mossburg served as a delegate of District 39 in Montgomery County from 1994 to 1998. He was one of three delegates serving District 39, including Barrie Ciliberti, who was appointed as District 4 delegate in 2014 after former delegate Kelly Schulz was appointed Secretary of Labor. Both Mossburg and Ciliberti were defeated in 1998, after district lines were redrawn to favor Democrats. [Mossburg's Twitter photo, below right]
Ciliberti ran on a slate in 2014 with Sen. Michael Hough (R-Dist. 4), Del. Kathy Afzali (R-Dist. 4), and Del. David Vogt (R-Dist.4.) Word is Mossburg, now a Frederick resident, is a Hough choice to take back the seat for Republicans. UPDATE: Hough denied that he is backing any Republican candidate for that seat, at least for now. "I like them both," he said.
Incumbent Sen. Ron Young was elected in 2010. He defeated incumbent Republican Alex Mooney, but barely squeaked by a Corey Stottlemyer, a relatively unknown Republican, in 2014. Young has not yet formally filed to run for reelection, but is raising money for the 2018 campaign.
Mossburg will have to get past Burger King franchise mogul Craig Giangrande in the Republican primary. Giangrande has support from Gov. Larry Hogan – so say the streets. County Councilman Billy Shreve, also a Republican, told FredEx that he’s considering a run for the same seat, and he'll have an endorsement from Pres. Donald Trump. So there.
Mossburg said in a message that he filed to run last week. His candidacy has not yet shown up on the state or county's board of elections websites. He posted this on his Facebook page on Apr. 25: “After much thought, prayer and encouragement I have decided to run again for office... Filing the paperwork this week for a State Senate seat in Frederick! I would appreciate your prayers and support...” He started a Twitter account the same day. He must mean business!
Mossburg lists his job as director of strategic business development at Amy’s Contracting Services, LLC. The woman-owned business is the sole source of a “child safety and patented curb inlet stormwater protection guards,” according to its website.
Wake up, Frederick City!
Yes, folks, there is an election before the 2018 gubernatorial election. Even the crickets are muted on this one. Look for the campaigns to get noisy after the filing deadline on Monday, July 3. To date, only Democrats have filed to run for city mayor or alderman. See the entire list of candidates here.
One Republican mayoral hopeful has been scouting high and low for a campaign treasurer. As soon as Steve Garrahy finds his elusive treasurer, he can mark “complete” on his candidate paperwork and formally file, he said.
In the meantime, the 1985 Middletown High grad wants Frederick voters to know that his campaign slogan is “Back to Basics,” and he plans to be a “citizen executive for all.” Garrahy's anxious to get started on his campaign, and asked FredEx to pull a photo from his Facebook page, [see Garrahy right with a canine companion] and ask any wannabe treasurers out there to email him at Irishmedic_7@isp.com.
No official word yet, but a little bee told us that Alderman Josh Bokee (D) is not seeking reelection, and Phil Dacey (R) will be seeking an at-large seat on the County Council, a source said.
Extra Buzz is the word on the street from credible sources. Sometimes you have to guess, but other times I just lay it out for you. If you have something to share, anonymity guaranteed, send an email to thefrederickextra@gmail.com.
