Rockville

Gordon Clark (left), Steve Hudson, Bill Parsons, Deborah Vollmer and Lih Young: Politicker Photo 

ROCKVILLE -- Just because he was absent, doesn't mean Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D) wasn't the 600-pound gorilla in the room at Thursday's debate. Van Hollen, required to attend an impromptu caucus meeting on an emergency financial program, sent legislative director Bill Parsons in his stead. And the challengers, all eager to give the incumbent a piece of their mind, were forced to settle for the stand-in.

Running as a self-described “centrist,” information technology developer Thomas Hardman (R-Rockville) hopes to earn a seat on the Montgomery County Council. Hardman is one of four Republican candidates seeking the GOP nomination in the race to fill the vacant District 4 council seat left vacant by the death of Marilyn Praisner (D). A special primary election has been scheduled for April 15, while the general election will take place May 13.

“I’m not really a part of the established political community,” Hardman told PolitickerMD.com.

In 2006, Hardman made an unsuccessful run at a state delegate position in District 19. Today, the IT developer said issues like combating gang violence and improving education standards are some of his top priorities.