And Then There Were Six?
Del. Herman L. Taylor II (D-Montgomery), an officer of the legislative black caucus and co-chair of its annual conference, confirmed Wednesday that a group of business executives in Prince George's are attempting to draft him to enter the race for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Maryland's 4th Congressional District. He would challenge Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.)
Wynn already faces four challengers, including activist Donna F. Edwards, who came within 3 percentage points of knocking Wynn off in last September's primary. Taylor said the group is dissatisfied with Wynn but also unhappy with the alternatives, including Edwards. He indicated the group had organized a meeting to try to convince him to jump into the race Wednesday night at the Radisson Hotel in Largo.
"When people with credibility and prominence talk to you, you take it very seriously," Taylor said, indicating that he had not contemplated a run for Congress until approached by the group, whom he would not identify. "There's been such a backlash that I'm amazed against the incumbent."
Edwards supporters, however, fear the effort may be an attempt to split opposition to Wynn, particularly in the portion of the 4th that includes Montgomery County, where Edwards soundly defeated Wynn in her last unsuccessful effort.
Art Brodsky, an Edwards backer who lives in Taylor's district, noted the two-term delegate would be entering the race with only 10 weeks to organize a campaign, against candidates who have already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. With those dynamics, Brodsky said he didn't believe Taylor could really win the race, only draw votes from the already declared candidates, particularly Edwards. Plus, Taylor has been close with Wynn in the past. "The whole thing just doesn't make any sense to me," he said.
But Taylor said he would only jump into the race if he believed he had a real shot at the seat. He noted the group trying to convince him to run indicated they could raise quickly raise $300,000 to get him started. And he said, despite past associations with Wynn, he would run if convinced residents of the district are dissatisfied with him. The businessmen turned to him, Taylor said, because he also owns a business and has known some of them for years.
Edwards supporters "can't expect everybody who doesn't like [Wynn's] job performance is going to naturally fall in with her," Taylor said. "They may be looking for someone else."
Taylor will have to decide quickly. The deadline for filing to run in the Feb. 12 race is Monday.
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November 29, 2007; 10:26 AM ET
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Rosalind Helderman
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Posted by: pgcountyinformer | November 29, 2007 1:51 PM
Wynn must go. He is a professional pol who has no commitment to any ideals other than self-advancement. Herman Taylor is being used.
Posted by: 4th dist. voter | November 29, 2007 4:00 PM
Who is Donna Edwards? What is her legislative record? Why should voters think she would do a better job in Congress than Al Wynn? I'd rather see someone who has been elected to something before move up to Congress than someone whose only real credential is opposing the incumbent.
Posted by: Local Democrat | November 29, 2007 4:39 PM
Herman Taylor is an Al Wynn cronie. If you've ever been to one of his political rallies or functions, he ALWAYS makes references to Wynn as a mentor and as the man who really pulled him into politics. He is obviously the spoiler candidate because Wynn knows he can't win MoCo. Traditionally, MoCo comes out in much larger numbers for presidential elections than it does for gubernatorial elections. This political machinery and disgust at it's finest.
Posted by: Appalled | November 29, 2007 6:25 PM
The seat will go to the one that pledges to raise our taxes and defend illegal immigration and trans-gender rights.
Posted by: Fleeced | November 29, 2007 7:15 PM
Has anyone checked out the Republican, Starkman? He didn't do much last time - raised $0 - but is running again in '08.
Is he for real? He seems like a pretty good guy but I don't know if he's really running or what?!
Posted by: I like him but... | November 30, 2007 12:24 AM
Starkman is running again, alreay raising money by the buckets. He will mount a serious challenge.
Posted by: There is another choice | November 30, 2007 9:22 AM
Lately, supporters and, sometimes, workers of the Donna Edwards campaign, have begun a concerted internet campaign against the other candidates in the race, including harrassing and vulgar emails. It is the other side of the same coin of dirty tricks that has been associated with Congressman Wynn - win at all costs.
The comment posted by 'pgcountyinformer' is a sign of her campaign's desperation. It encourages me, my campaign team and my supporters to know that they feel the need to question the validity of my campaign. 'pgcountyinformer' clearly has not listened to me at any of the debates or read my background on the web site.
Kudos to 'pgcountyUNINFORMED'.
Posted by: Jason Jennings | December 2, 2007 12:49 AM
I have never met Jason Jennings, I don't believe. But I like him. He is the only candidate to blog in his own name.
Posted by: Robin Ficker Broker Robin Realty | December 2, 2007 10:41 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
i wonder how many of the new candidates in the 4th congressional race are authentic?
jason jennings? herrman taylor? is there any particular reason either of these guys are even running? i'm sure wynn is smiling right now.