Roz Pelles

Al Carr: Elated to be the MCDCC's pick for District 18 delegate.Kensington Councilman Al Carr has been recommended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee to fill the open District 18 Delegate seat vacated by the death of the late Del. Jane Lawton.

Carr received 14 of the 22 votes cast from the committee. Former congressional aide Rick Kessler finished second with 6 votes, and community activist Roz Pelles finished a disappointing third with just 2 votes. Fredric Cooper and George English did not receive any votes.

The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee has picked Kensington Councilman Al Carr to fill the District 18 Delegate seat left vacant by the death of Del. Jane Lawton. Carr defeated former congressional aide Rick Kessler by a 14-6 vote, with community activist Roz Pelles finishing third with just two votes.

Councilman Al Carr from Kensington and community activist Rosalyn "Roz" Pelles of Silver Spring have emerged as the leading contenders to fill the vacant District 18 Delegate seat, according to a source familiar with the race. The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee will recommend a candidate to fill the position this evening at party headquarters.

The event, which is open to the public, begins at 7:30 PM, at 3720 Farragut Avenue in Kensington.

Carr, who was first elected to the Kensington town council in 2002, has been highlighting his record as an elected official. In a Dec. 7 letter to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee declaring his intention to seek the open position, Carr wrote, "My most significant accomplishment in recent months was my work to successfully push three bills through to passage in Annapolis, working closely with the District 18 delegation."

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.

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."