Nine Democrats are vying for the opportunity to replace newly appointed state Sen. Sara Love in the House of Delegates. The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee will make a recommendation to Governor Wes Moore on July 11 for the appointment. The new delegate will serve until 2027, completing Love’s term. At a public forum sponsored by the District 16 Democratic Club, candidates outlined progressive agendas focused on issues such as environmental protection, affordable housing, gun safety, and democracy preservation.
The debate over legislative appointments was also discussed, with a bill for special elections for vacancies passing in the state Senate but stalling in the House. Six candidates supported the bill during the forum. Frontrunners for Love’s seat include Teresa Saavedra Woorman, Diana Conway, and Melissa Bender, all with extensive experience in political and advocacy work. The candidates emphasized their backgrounds, skills, and relationships within the community as strengths for the position.
Other applicants include Joe Hennessy, Jason Nuñez, Steve Shapiro, Amol Tripathi, Heather Weaver, and Scott Webber. Only Weaver and Hennessy did not support the special election bill. The members of the committee will make a final decision next Thursday after further discussions with the candidates. The appointment process reflects the diverse and active political landscape within Montgomery County as the search for a new delegate continues.
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