The most important local race in our county this year is to determine who will be the Republican nominee for county executive. The winner will face wealthy horseman Steuart Pittman. As you know, Steuart Pittman is an accidental county executive elected in a freak blue wave against a candidate who, in any other year, would have been reelected.
To say Steuart Pittman has been a disaster for Anne Arundel County would be a gross understatement. Higher taxes. Out-of-control spending. Reckless development. And a focus on left-wing political priorities instead of governing in the best interests of county residents.
There are five Republicans who are running for the Republican nomination for county executive. To say that any of them would be an improvement over Pittman would be a gross understatement.
Unfortunately, the election has bogged down into a mudslinging contest between the main competitors. A day seemingly can’t go by where I haven’t walked out to my mailbox and found a negative mailer from one campaign or the other with loaded accusations about debates and who loves Trump the most. It’s enough to make even a political nerd like me cry “Uncle!”.
All of these are irrelevant distractions when Anne Arundel County Republicans need to be focused on electing a strong nominee.
The question for voters, as always, boils down to who can lead the county the best and who can present the best opportunity to kick Pittman out of the Arundel Center.
When you look at it from that perspective, there is only one.
Jessica Haire has spent the last four years on the County Council working with the other Republican members to hold the line, as best as possible, against Pittman’s rampant liberalism. Her priorities on the council have reflected that, focusing on property rights, reducing Steuart Pittman’s overburdening taxes, promoting infrastructure, and reducing the regulatory burden on county residents and businesses. Haire’s record is that of a common-sense conservative.
Her priorities as county executive also reflect that common-sense conservatism. Haire focuses on education, crime, taxes, the high cost of living in the county, and improving county services. These are all among the top priorities of county voters and highlight the weaknesses that Steuart Pittman has displayed during his accidental administration.
As a council member, an attorney, a civil engineer, and a child advocate, Jessica Haire is the candidate most prepared to lead the county into the future. For that reason, I strongly urge you to vote for Jessica Haire for Anne Arundel County executive.
One other race that I want to highlight is the sheriff’s race. Incumbent Sheriff Jim Fredericks has drawn three challengers in this race for reasons that aren’t entirely clear.
Some of this is related to the so-called “Constitutional Sheriff” movement that exists on the fringes of the right. These so-called “Constitutional Sheriffs” purport to be sheriffs and candidates for sheriff who believe that the sheriff is the highest legal authority in a county and therefore has a right and duty to disobey laws that in their view violate the Constitution.
If that sounds like a fringe legal theory based on nothing and created by people unfamiliar with the Constitution, you’re right.
Sheriff Fredericks has restored the honor and integrity in the sheriff’s office that was sorely lacking during the administration of his predecessor. The job is supposed to be a quiet one in which warrants get processed and the courthouse is protected. Mission accomplished as far as I’m concerned. Jim Fredericks is more than deserving of a second term.
Just be sure that if you haven’t voted yet that you do so Tuesday.
Brian Griffiths is a candidate for Republican Central Committee in District 3. He can be reached via email at brian.griffiths.media@gmail.com, on Twitter @BrianGriffiths, or on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @briangriffithsmd.
