By Adam Pagnucco.
Liza Smith and Nathan Feldman, both members of the Montgomery Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC), have publicly announced their opposition to the common practice of central committee members appointing themselves to state legislative office. Smith has even established a petition asking her colleagues to ban self-appointments. This is a heavy lift as central committee members have been sending themselves to Annapolis to pick up state paychecks for years. But a ragtag group of rebels is now gathering to challenge the self-appointing empire which has ruled for so long.
Much of this maneuvering is quiet although as they gather strength, the rebels are steadily growing bolder. One signal of their intentions comes from the League of Women Voters guide during the primary, when several of them spoke out for change. Consider the following statements by MCDCC members calling for banning self-appointments and/or instituting special elections to fill vacancies.
MCDCC rebels chart the path to victory.
Michelle C. Whittaker (At-Large): “I strongly believe vacancies should be chosen by the electorate whenever possible. If I served on the Central Committee, I would only consider candidates who are 1) engaged in their community 2) experienced in 1 or more areas related to the office they are filling and 3) are not a current member of the central committee.”
Issa Haddad (District 9A): “I will not vote to appoint a sitting Committee member to the MDGA [Maryland General Assembly]. I will be looking to vote for the most progressive candidate that promises to not take corporate donations to fund their campaigns or allow procedural norms or working relationships to take priority over the material needs of Marylanders.”
Jayson L. Spiegel (District 17): “The law should authorize special elections to fill vacancies. Until then, I will support the candidate who best understands the legislative process through experience or advocacy; has a history of Democratic Party activism; deep ties to Montgomery County; and demonstrates support for protecting voting rights; the rights of women, LGBTQ, unions, the environment and civil rights.”
Edward Fischman (District 18): “I have spent many hours trying to persuade leaders that a democracy requires democratic elections. Not selection by committee. I will continue working to reform the rules on vacancies. For now, I would favor candidates that I believe reflect the progressive values held by most voters in this district. I would also look favorably on candidates pledging to be a placeholder, rather than careerists.”
Add Whittaker, Haddad, Spiegel and Fischman to Smith and Feldman and it’s evident that MCDCC is not quite the iron oligarchy it once was. Could real change be on the way?