Del. Rice hosts first annual 'Family Fun Day'

BOYDS – State Del. Craig Rice (D-Germantown) hosted his 1st annual Family Fun Day on Saturday. The fundraiser, which was held at the South Germantown Recreational Park featured bounce houses, music and food. Admission was priced at $50 per family of four, $25 per individual and $500 for sponsors.

Among those attending the event were Comptroller Peter Franchot (D-Takoma Park), state Sen. Rob Garagiola (D- Montgomery County), state Del. Kirill Reznik (D-Montgomery County), state Del. Charles Barkley (D-Germantown), and Char Rosnick who attended on behalf of U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington).

In an interview with PolitickerMD.com, Rice said the campaign “already had about $3,000 initially pledged to us.”

The first term delegate said he was “hoping to raise somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000” at the Family Fun Day fundraiser.

“You know people understand that grassroots politics also takes money, you know, we don’t have the big dollar donations like some of the other campaigns do and I try and do most of my stuff via smaller donations,” he said. “Reaching out to the community and getting in touch with more people is the way to kind of combat that.”

Rice acknowledged district 15’s moderate tendencies. In 2006, he defeated his opponent, Jean Cryor, by only 152 votes.

“People elected me because I represented that moderate kind of interest,” Rice told PolitickerMD.com. “You know, working for big business for as long as I did and then, you know, but also understanding the community, understanding that we’ve gotta be an integral part to help those, you know, that might not be able to help themselves.”

He continued: “No longer are the stereotypical mantras of what a Democrat means. Those ideals are long gone because politics have evolved just like society has evolved. The people that we represent – we as politicians have to change based on that.”

The event opened with a brief speech from Comptroller Franchot. “He [Rice] represents the future as far as Montgomery County politics,” Franchot told a crowd of about 45. “He ran an independent race, an upset win and I think there are great things in store for him,” he added.

“I’m disappointed of course since there are so many elected officials here, because elected officials never contribute,” Franchot joked. “Craig, I’m gonna send $100 to you just out of concern that there’s so many non-paid elected officials here.”

After yielding the stage to Rice, the delegate made his own brief remarks.

“Comptroller Franchot talked about change. I think that’s something that you’re starting to see in politics,” Rice said.

“You’re seeing a change, you’re seeing a new wind,” he added.

Rice is currently serving his first term in district 15. He will be up for reelection in 2010 and is currently running unopposed.