Fennel vows to reduce “vicious” spending

In 2006, Mark Fennel (R-Silver Spring) spoke out against what he called waste and mismanagement in local government. That message propelled the marketing analyst to the GOP nomination for the District 4 seat on the Montgomery County Council. In the general election, however, Fennel was soundly defeated by Democratic incumbent Marilyn Praisner, who passed away February 1. Now, Fennel is once again seeking the Republican nomination for the same position in a special primary election, which will be held April 15. The general election is scheduled for May 13.

“I am the only person running today that previously expressed interest in the campaign,” Fennel told PolitickerMD.com.

If elected, Fennel said he would work to “curtail the vicious pattern of uncontrolled spending,” saying Montgomery County faces a “financial crisis.”

“Spending is far outpacing the money that is coming in,” Fennel, the former director of membership for the group Citizens Against Government Waste, said.

“I’ve made a pledge not to surpass the charter limit on property tax collection,” he added.

According to Fennel, the county is considering an 8 percent increase on property taxes, which he called “outrageous.”

Even if Fennel secures the GOP nomination, he faces an uphill battle in the general election in an overwhelmingly Democratic county. Each of the council’s current eight members are Democrats.

Despite this fact, Fennel said he was “optimistic” and “confident” at the prospects of victory.

“I think this is going to be an excellent opportunity to break the monopoly that the Democrats have in Montgomery County,” Fennel said.

The candidate said a “healthy exchange” between members of opposing political viewpoints was “critical to Democracy.”

“You need constant challenging and checking,” Fennel said.

Fennel is banking a possible general election victory on low Democratic turnout and spirited motivation among the Republican base.

“Our chances rest on voter turnout,” Fennel acknowledged.

In addition, Fennel said he would continue a daily “grassroots effort” dedicated to “door knocking” and phone-banking.

Other GOP candidates in the race include John McKinnis, a 2006 delegate candidate, Thomas Hardman, who works in information technology, and Robert Patton, an athletic fields’ specialist.