Apr 21, 2009
The return of Steve Bailey
The Sun’s Maryland Politics blog is speculating today that Steve Bailey might be gearing up for a political race. City/state editor Andy Green bases this idea on a letter to the editor the ertswhile Baltimore County deputy state’s attorney penned, in which he takes Baltimore County executive Jim Smith to task for spending and taxing too much.
Bailey, a Republican, ran to replace longtime state’s attorney Sandy O’Connor in 2006, when O’Connor retired. Bailey was the heir apparent, but he lost to Democrat Scott Shellenberger, who had been an assistant state’s attorney and then a trial lawyer for Peter Angelos. Shellenberger, who had Jim Smith’s political support, Angelos’ monetary support and a favorable political climate for Democrats that year, beat Bailey 54 percent to 46 percent.
Green wonders if Bailey wants to challenge Smith, a former Baltimore County Circuit Court judge and second-term county executive, in 2010. The Republicans have so far not made much noise about who they will run against Smith, he noted. “[N]obody’s raising much money or making many waves,” Green wrote.
Do you think the ex-prosecutor should face down the ex-judge next year?
Jim Smith may not run again in 2010–for County Executive, that is. Anyone who has been paying attention to Maryland politics knows that he is most likely planning to run against incumbent Democrat Comptroller, Peter Franchot.
So while Mr. Bailey may seek the Republican nomination to run as County Executive, he will not face Jim Smith. Likely opponent? Councy Councilman Kevin Kaminetz.
It is kind of sad that you wrote this in such an uninformed state.
Caryn,
Welcome to the world of blogging, where anyone can lambaste you without any fear of repercussions.
Here’s what I think. Bailey is a workhorse, a great trial attorney, but not a politician. To me, County Executive is nothing like State’s Attorney. Sure, the SA doesn’t try cases often (if at all) and is more of a face of the Office, but he or she isn’t viewed by the public as a political figure so much as a criminal prosecution policymaker for the county.
Bailey should stick to what he knows: trial work. If he can’t sleep at night as a criminal defense attorney, go into insurance defense. Otherwise, stay out of the picture. The climate in Baltimore County might be turning to be more accepting of Republicans, but it’s like the tide, the favor for a party comes in and it goes out. He’s seizing a moment and a vulnerable seat which Jim Smith is probably vacating this time around.
Anonymous–I signed my name and have no problem with that; apparently you do. I suspect Ms. Tamber could find my e-mail address readily as I am required to enter it to comment. My identity is apparent from that address. I would be happy to respond to any questions about my comment. I do not fear repurcussion because I did not make any scurrilous or inaccurate statements. I am a regular reader of TDR (a fine paper/online news source) and am truly befuddled by the posting that shows lack of knowledge of the subject of the posting.
Baltimore County Charter Section 402(a) clearly establishes a two-term limit for County Executive. So Jim Smith is not “probably” vacating the position; he must. That makes the question asked by Ms. Tamber irrelevant.
On another note, currently a member of the House of Representatves from Maryland, Frank Kratovil, served as a State’s Attorney prior to his federal election. Our Attorney General, Doug Gansler, whose office handles all of the State’s civil matters (only limited criminal jurisdiction) and develops and implements significant policy, is a former State’s Attorney (and maybe future Governor or more). The current Prince George’s County Executive, Jack Johnson, was the County’s State’s Attorney prior ro becoming County Executive.
I could go on, but I think you get the point.
In Maryland, it is not unusual for a politically motivated individual to use the State’s Attorney’s Office as a stepping stone to higher office. The dearth of known or viable Republican candidates for the County Executive race in 2010 makes Mr. Bailey a likely candidate and one who may serve the Republicans better than any other candidate. I doubt a Republican will win the election but Mr. Bailey is, indeed, a viable and appropriate candidate.
Ms. Tamber: If my initial response was in any way hurtful to you, I sincerely apologize. Please do contact me and let me know so that I might temper my responses in the future or avoid the blog. I like this stuff but not if a smart and accurate posting will be treated as an attack and basically ignored.
Kathleen D.
OK, let me rephrase my question: should Bailey run for county executive, against whomever the Democrats put up?
Pretty dramatic, Kathleen. I doubt Caryn could possibly care less.
I think yes.