Maryland: Jane Lawton

Vacancy Replacement Process Opens Up

All eyes were on Marie Wallace.

The assistant secretary of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, a hushed crowd packed inside their Kensington headquarters to listen as she read aloud the names of each committee member, followed by his or her vote.

Last night, Montgomery’s Democratic leadership overwhelmingly recommended Al Carr to replace the late Del. Jane Lawton in District 18, the fourth time they have voted to fill a vacant legislative seat this term.

The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee has picked Kensington Councilman Al Carr to fill the District 18 Delegate seat left vacant by the death of Del. Jane Lawton. Carr defeated former congressional aide Rick Kessler by a 14-6 vote, with community activist Roz Pelles finishing third with just two votes.

[img_assist|nid=287|title=Frederic C. Cooper|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=110|height=136]Fred Cooper thinks the Montgomery County delegation could benefit from some “geographic diversity.”

In his bid for the vacant District 18 seat in the House of Delegates, he’s making an issue out of where representatives live and how it might affect whose voice is heard in Annapolis.

[img_assist|nid=279|title=Al Carr|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=100|height=136]Oscar Ramirez, congressional staffer to Rep. Al Green (D-TX) and early candidate for the vacant District 18 delegate seat, has announced he is withdrawing his candidacy and endorsing Kensington Councilman Alfred Carr.

Ramirez is phoning members of the Montgomey County Democratic Central Committee, who are picking a replacement for the late Del. Jane Lawton on Tuesday evening, to inform them of his decision.