Fred Cooper

Dana Beyer, M.D.Dr. Dana Beyer said she decided to drop her bid to replace the late Del. Jane Lawton at the conclusion of a candidate’s forum last night because she knew she wasn’t going to win.

Beyer indicated that she had spoken to members of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee prior to the event, and informed them that she was contemplating withdrawal. She did not make a final decision until the forum was about to begin, and had yet to inform committee members of her decision.

Frederic C. CooperFred Cooper thinks the Montgomery County delegation could benefit from some “geographic diversity.”

In his bid for the vacant District 18 seat in the House of Delegates, he’s making an issue out of where representatives live and how it might affect whose voice is heard in Annapolis.

Cooper’s address in the district is a relatively new one. He first came to Montgomery County in 1981, moving on to Howard County in 1989, where he was twice elected to the Democratic Central Committee. In 2005, he and his wife returned to Silver Spring, their current residence.

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.

Two new candidates joined the delegate race for District 18 yesterday: Fredric C. Cooper and Rosalyn "Roz" Woodward Pelles.

Pelles is a high profile organizer in the labor and civil rights movements, serving as director of the AFL-CIO's Civil, Human and Women's Rights Department since 2005. She's previously worked with the Union Community Fund, the National Rainbow Coaltion, as a legislative analyst for the state legislature.

Cooper has been active in Maryland politics in Howard County. According to his letter of intent, he owns "a consulting practice CDC Advisory Services which works to build community assets, improve access to credit and investment for low-wealth communities, and build capacity among those who serve those communities."