The Republican Nomination for President

With the Iowa caucuses on January 3rd, the process will officially begin to select the Republican nominee for President of the United States.

Polls have described a fickle Republican electorate over the past few months.  Texas Governor Rick Perry surged in the early fall, then it was former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.  But all along, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was the man to beat.  The Republican Party has a royalist tradition; in almost every election since 1960, the party has picked the heir apparent nominee as its standard-bearer.



Mitt Romney

Romney is a stronger, more disciplined candidate than he was in 2008.  The state of the economy plays to Romney's strengths; check out the glowing article on his years at Harvard Business School that ran in The New York Times, not a newspaper known for its friendliness to Republican candidates.  And while a debate between Newt Gingrich and President Obama would probably be one of the most exciting in history, Romney has shown a polished focus that could carry him to victory.

The bottom line is that Mitt Romney can beat President Obama.  The latest Rasmussen Reports poll gives Romney a six-point advantage.  A Presidential election, of course, is actually 51 different races in the various states and the District of Columbia.  Romney almost certainly restores Indiana, Virginia, and North Carolina to the Republican column; likely wins Ohio and Florida; and has at least an even shot of capturing marginal states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.  Picking a running mate like New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, a former prosecutor with sky-high approval ratings, might seal the deal in the Southwest.

Of the remaining candidates, I have also been very impressed with former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, who could clearly defeat President Obama by attracting many Independents and independent-minded Democrats to his campaign.  Huntsman has focused almost all his energy on New Hampshire, but I just don't see him beating Romney.  Should Romney fail, though, Huntsman emerges as one to watch in 2016.

Carney Village Shopping Center Due for Facelift in 2013

I learned today that the Carney Village Shopping Center at the corner of Joppa and Harford Roads will get a facelift in 2013.  Improvements will be made to the retail area and signage at the shopping center. 

Carney Village Shopping Center

The 52,000-square foot shopping center is a landmark in Carney.  Its largest tenant is the Mars supermarket.  The upgrades will hopefully enhance this part of northeastern Baltimore County.

I look forward to sharing the plans for the shopping center with the community.

Honoring Three Outstanding Citizens of the Year

Throughout the Fifth District, there are outstanding men and women who work tirelessly to improve their neighborhoods.   I have decided to create an annual award to honor three citizens who have worked in different ways in their communities.

In the Towson area, I am honoring Loni Ingraham, who worked for 24 years as a local journalist.   She was best known as principal reporter for the Towson Times.   Upon her retirement, The Baltimore Sun noted that "the job Loni has accomplished most completely is that of storyteller, whose tales of local residents, events and issues have chronicled the lives, times, struggles, setbacks and victories of the greater Towson community."

In the Loch Raven/Parkville area, I am honoring Bill Deysher, president of the Ridgeleigh Community Association.   Ridgeleigh includes 1,100 units (mostly brick rowhomes) between Loch Raven Boulevard, Putty Hill Avenue, Oakleigh Avenue, and Joppa Road.   This neighborhood is commonly called "the Oaks."  Over the past year, I have been greatly impressed by the energy and genuine affection residents feel for their community.  Much of their success is due to the tireless leadership of Bill Deysher.

In the Perry Hall area, I am honoring Dennis Hoover, who is leaving the Baltimore County Planning Board after a decade of service.  The Planning Board reviews zoning, development, and infrastructure throughout the county.  While on the Planning Board, Dennis was a tireless advocate for the construction of the new Perry Hall library.  He also worked for new traffic calming policies, and most recently has served on the Perry Hall Dog Park Committee.

I am very proud to honor these three outstanding citizens.