Smith ‘let’s others do the political talking’

Baltimore County Executive Jim SmithAs rumors continue to swirl that Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith will challenge Comptroller Peter Franchot for his seat in the 2010 Democratic primary, a spokesperson for the county executive said Smith's focus was on his present occupation.

"The county executive has long been devoted to not being a lame duck," spokesperson Don Mohler told PolitickerMD.com. "He lets others do the political talking."

Smith, 66, is bound by term limits and can't seek re-election in 2010. A closer examination of his current initiatives may signal an impending campaign battle with Franchot.

When asked what major issues Smith would focus for the remainder of his term, Mohler pointed to education and the importance of school renovation, an issue that was a recent source of controversy between Smith and Franchot.

The comptroller's tour of three overcrowded Towson elementary schools last month drew a negative response from one Smith aide, who accused Franchot of political theater.

Franchot, 60, toured the schools days after a group of his advisors met with parents of Towson elementary school students who were vocal in their criticism of Smith for not funding a new elementary school.

"(Smith) has reserved $18 million in the 2009 budget for improvements to overcrowded schools in Towson," Mohler said. "He believes that it is an important issue."

Last week, the state Board of Public Works, which Franchot sits on along with Gov. Martin O'Malley and Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, approved $41million in state aid for school construction in Baltimore County. That amount was even with funds approved for Baltimore City and Prince George's County, and $5.3 million behind Montgomery County, which received the most funds.

O'Malley originally proposed $31 million in funds for Baltimore County, but the Interagency Committee on School Construction recommended an additional $10 million in April.

Given that O'Malley and Franchot have feuded on a number of issues since they took office in January 2007, most notably on slots, the governor's role in a potential Franchot/Smith primary battle could be pivotal.

Mohler said Smith "has an excellent relationship" with the governor; pointing to funds approved for education to highlight his statement.

"There has been $93 million for school renovation in Baltimore County in the first two years of the O'Malley administration," Mohler said, "There was only $23 million in the first two years of Gov. (Bob) Ehrlich."

O'Malley will of course be thinking of his own re-election campaign in 2010, but the back and forth over the November slots referendum and its eventual conclusion could be foreshadowing of a forthcoming struggle for power in Baltimore County.