By Adam Pagnucco.
Now to numbers five, four and three among the most influential MoCo endorsements. All comments come from sources except for those appearing under my name. (See Part One for methodology.)
5. MCGEO (22 votes)
Less influential than MCEA because many of the membership don’t live in county, but supporting labor is one of the things a lot of the county care about and they really represent the blue collar labor matters. Gino is still a political force and politicians care about his support and opinion.
SEIU 500 and MCGEO consistently over promise and under-deliver. Their mail and canvassing efforts are weak and come way too late. They could be a real powerhouse in the County if they ever got their stuff together and spent less time fighting with electeds.
Not the biggest union in terms of numbers in MoCo, but Gino is still Gino. Endorsement comes with door knocking and poll coverage. Gino is also close to and respected by long time elected officials like Ben Kramer and John McCarthy so if Gino supports a candidate then so will his political friends.
Second to MCEA, MCGEO is also an incredibly sought after endorsement. They feel they have enough power that they have called candidates into interviews and humiliated them with leading or incendiary questions. Much like MCEA, they have power in their built in member structure, and lots of money to back them up.
This year it seems UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO has opened up the race for Sheriff with their vote of no confidence for Uy and endorsement of Will Milam. Uy will have an uphill battle to overcome the bad pub.
The county employees still hold sway and Gino’s word for you or against you packs a punch.
MCGEO has mattered in the past, but only in the negative. I believe that their last successful booting of an incumbent was Rona Kramer in D-14 back in 2010. You don’t want MCGEO supporting your opponent, not because your opponent will win, but because the negative mail will upset your sleep and piss off your spouse.
Pagnucco: Exhibit A that MCGEO matters is Max Uy. You really don’t need an Exhibit B or C.
4. Former County Executive Ike Leggett (36 votes)
His endorsement was surprisingly meaningful four years ago. It retains a tremendous amount of power. Voters are nostalgic for a quieter, less divisive time. Ike’s imprimatur helps voters choose candidates that reflect both his values and his style.
Equal to Rep. Raskin, anyone Ike would put his name behind is going to be a frontrunner in most county races. And even when Ike doesn’t endorse that still means something politically. Would never bet against him.
Still the most popular county exec in recent history and still has influence, so his opinion matters.
The coattails are not consistent, but he definitely is able to pull certain candidates into the conversation. Most people would say his endorsement elevated Laurie-Anne Sayles, though her candidacy may also have been right-place, right-time.
County Executive Leggett’s staying power is a testament to his wisdom, leadership, and grace. His influence in the county is enhanced due to how weak Elrich is.
His endorsement is still respected in MoCo in all areas of the county and his is still the individual endorsement that is most influential.
Name all the buildings after him, if he endorses, it is important to those in the know.
The former County Executive may be almost a decade removed from office, but his shadow looms large and voters still respect his name. How much staying power does his endorsement have? Only time will tell. But he is one of the only former electeds that routinely shows up on candidate pages and mailers to drive home the message to voters.
Still one of the most sought after individual endorsements. Represents a time where government, while not perfect, had public service and the public good at the forefront and leadership that was thoughtful, steady, and reliable.
Ike Leggett is still the gold standard. Steady leadership, vision, competence, still venerated across racial and ideological lines – there’s a reason that buildings around the county bear his name. Ike’s endorsement is still coveted and is really the gold standard in county politics.
Pagnucco: I wouldn’t be surprised if Ike is more popular now than he was while he was county executive, at least among voters who remember him. His prestige is enhanced by comparison to his successor. Ike’s support would be helpful everywhere, but I would especially target it to older Black voters, who are reliable participants in county Dem primaries.
3. Congressman Jamie Raskin (39 votes, including 6 first-place votes)
Saint Raskin – there’s no more popular elected official within 100 miles, if there is one anywhere. He’s a lefty hero for lots of reasons, including his role in the J6 investigation, but the only people who really dislike him are right wing cranks whose politics are radioactive in Montgomery County. He’s sparing with endorsements, which is part of his success at avoiding alienating anyone, but when he gives it he can be decisive, as he arguably was in the Elrich-Blair race in 2022.
I don’t know if anybody else matters. Lol… I think Jamie is the reason Marc Elrich got elected. He is the biggest influencer, and his endorsement swung enough people who were sitting on the line for Marc to squeak in.
Many folks who have known Jamie and the Raskin family for years are not surprised to see him become a mythical national folk hero. If the Congressman wants someone in any seat in this county with a full endorsement, hard pressed not to expect everyone else to fall in line behind that candidate.
People like Jamie and even those who might be not as progressive locally see Jamie as a champion and fighter for democracy at a time it’s needed most.
Having Raskin’s backing shows the candidate is connected to federal leadership and capable of tackling big-picture challenges which MoCo has plenty of. He’s trusted by voters all over the county, not just the progressive base. Having his support signals credibility to moderates as well.
He cost Blair the 2022 election with his last minute endorsement.
Jamie is the only reason why Elrich is still County Executive.
The golden boy of MoCo Dem Primaries, especially for the young and progressive.
Jamie, right now, is the “rock star” of the Montgomery County Democratic Party, and people will care if he is willing to endorse a candidate. As one political advisor told me last year, “if you can get Jamie’s endorsement, it’s almost as good as a win.”
Obviously very popular with primary voters and would be very impactful.
Jamie’s probably the most popular politician in MoCo. He’s a national treasure as well as our local political hero so folks who can get him to actually endorse them wear that as a badge of honor. It’s the reason so many people tout their Jamie association’s in lieu of his endorsement – they want to be in his orbit because voters love him.
King Jamie and King Jamie, only, countywide. Other people could matter in very targeted communities, like Brian Frosh if you’re running in D-16 and Ike Leggett, near his home region in the east county. No one cares if an out-of-state Member of Congress or Senator supports you — how boring.
Pagnucco: Hey Jamie, why did you have to endorse against my guy David Blair? That aside, Jamie is MoCo’s hero. If I was running for office and I could choose to get the support of any one individual, it would definitely be Jamie Raskin.
Next: endorsement number two!