Extra Buzz, Aug. 22
UPDATED. SEE BELOW.
A short but sweet one, with promises of more to come very soon!
Hear ye, hear ye!
The worst-kept secret EVER is about to be revealed, dear readers. Wait for it … Del. Kathy Afzali has an ANNOUNCEMENT about her political plans for 2018. She plans to make that ANNOUNCEMENT on Sept. 14. For $50 you can hobnob and hear the ANNOUNCEMENT up close and personal, and meet up with Anne Arundel’s County Exec Steve Schuh.
Anyone paying an ounce of attention knows that the ANNOUNCEMENT is that the two-term delegate will be running in the Republican primary for County Exec. Running mates so far include former county budget officer Regina Williams, and Council Member Kirby Delauter.
But hey, we were dead wrong about John Delaney’s plans to run for governor, so who knows? Maybe she plans to run for POTUS, too? Or both at the same time? You will have to wait for the big ANNOUNCEMENT to find out for sure.
Spreading the love
David Trone, who ran and lost a bid for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 8th Congressional District primary, is running for Congress, this time in the 6th District. The Potomac-based candidate spent a whopping $13 million on the race, and is trying to buy some love in Frederick by donating to five Frederick city Democratic aldermanic candidates and one mayoral candidate.
You won’t find it on the campaign finance reports until the next report is due, Oct. 9, but Trone gave $1,000 to Donna Kuzemchak, Roger Wilson, Kris Fair, Kelly Russell and Derek Shackelford, and $2,500 to mayoral hopeful Michael O’Connor.
Word from some of the candidates on the receiving end was that he made his selections after seeking advice from County Exec Jan Gardner.
Trone, who would not identify the recipients of his largesse by name – that’s okay, FredEx found out anyway - said in an email via spokesman Alex Koren that Trone consults with Gardner on a regular basis. “After talking with Jan, he decided to make these contributions because he felt that helping Democrats in local elections this year was a great way to build Democratic momentum going into the state and federal elections next year.”
When asked if Trone expects anything in return for his investment, Koren said “No. He expects that they will do a great job for Frederick.
Gardner said she did not select candidates for Trone. "David Trone did call me about the city election. I sent him the entire list and contact information for all the Democratic candidates for Mayor and Alderman. Who Mr. Trone decided to contribute to is clearly up to him. I appreciate his interest in supporting Democrats in the election," she said in an email.
TONIGHT, with Congressman Jamie Raskin
Never a dull moment for local Dems - galas, forums, house parties - a virtual whirlwind of Dem activities. Try to keep up! Tonight at 6 pm, a Plow-Fish Club event at Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard. For tickets and more info, check this out.
