Democrats seeking Lawton seat answer questions

Beyer Withdraws

The race to fill the District 18 Delegate seat left vacant on November 29 by the death of Del. Jane Lawton, continued Sunday night, as six candidates participated in a town-hall style forum before a large crowd at the Leland Center in Chevy Chase. And in an unexpected move, Dana Beyer withdrew from the race during her closing remarks.

The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee will recommend a candidate for appointment on Tuesday night. Their recommendation will then be sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley for approval.

Five Democrats remain in the race: Eric “Rick” Kessler, Al Carr; George English; Rosalyn “Roz” Pelles and Fredric Cooper.

All but one of the candidates supported the possible construction of the purple line, a proposed 16-mile transit line extending from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County.

“I have advocated for a new commuter rail system for many years now,” said Carr, a Kensington Councilman. “We need East/West transit, and we also have to make sure to include the local communities in the decision-making process.”

Kessler said that his support of public transportation comes from his strong environmentalist beliefs.

“We need to get more cars off the road.” said Kessler, a former Chief of Staff to powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell.

English, a former Army officer, said he would prefer a monorail system.

“It is a less expensive and smarter idea. We have to be able to think outside the box.”

Several candidates expressed their reservations with O’Malley’s proposal to legalize 15,000 slot machines, which will be decided by the voters in a November 2008 referendum.

“I don’t think the financial benefits outweigh the moral dilemma,” Carr said. “I will vote no on slots.”

“We’ve had a year to address the budget problem at the state level and I view the slot referendum as a cop-out,” English said.

Beyer and Kessler also indicated that they would personally vote against the measure, while Pelles and Cooper said that they would likely vote for the referendum, but highlighted the need to investigate the matter further.

“I would likely vote yes, but we have to look at where the money is going,” Pelles said.

Pelles – who has strong support from the Lawton family -- has served as director of the AFL-CIO's Civil, Human and Women's Rights Department since 2005. She has been a leader in the labor and civil rights movements. Cooper currently serves on the Linden Civic Association board in Silver Spring. He previously served on the Howard County Democratic Central Committee.

In a question filled with irony, the candidates were asked if they thought that county residents, rather than the county central committee, should vote to appoint district delegates in future elections.

“I would support such a measure,” Beyer said. “We need a more democratic way to choose delegates.”

Carr agreed, saying he supports “giving the people the right to choose their delegates.”

A question about national immigration reform led to an in-depth discussion, as all the candidates expressed the need to accept immigrants coming into the country.

“We cannot demonize people,” Cooper said. “We have to welcome them into our communities.”

Pelles expressed the need to “embrace” immigrants, while Kessler stressed the need to help find jobs for those coming into the United States.

At the local level, all the candidates expressed concern with the dangerous intersection at the Georgia Avenue-Forest Glen Road, which hundreds of residents walk across each day to get to the Forest Glen Metro station. A proposed tunnel at the intersection was supported by all the candidates.

In addition, other topics of discussion included the need to expand affordable housing to county residents, and environmental improvements.

Democrats paid tribute to Lawton during the start and conclusion of the forum. A minute-long moment of silence was offered in tribute.

“Jane was a friend, neighbor and colleague,” Arthur Schatzkin, chairman of the District 18 Democratic caucus, said. “She was a wonderful representative in Annapolis.”

“Words could never give Jane her due,” Charles Duffy, the moderator of the forum and of cable television’s the Political Pulse, said. “She touched many lives, including mine.”

The candidate who is appointed will serve the remainder of Lawton’s term.