Nineteen Apply for House Vacancy in 30A

Nineteen Democrats have filed for the House of Delegates seat left vacant by Alice Cain, who resigned unexpectedly in mid-March.

What’s the process for succession?

In Maryland, if a House vacancy occurs in the middle of a term, the county central committee of the departing member’s political party will vote on a recommended successor. This recommendation is then passed along to the Governor, who is given the official duty of naming the successor by either approving or rejecting the central committee’s nomination.

In this case, as Delegate Cain was a Democrat, the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee (AACDCC) is charged with making a nomination, which they will do on Thursday, April 16, 2020. The committee will interview the candidates who have applied for the vacant position and make their recommendation for the Governor at the end of the session.

Who has applied for the vacancy?

Below is a complete list of the nineteen applicants, listed alphabetically by last name. I’m not making any endorsements or recommendations here, but I have included some of my own personal thoughts about some of the candidates below.

• Andrew Bowen
• Jamie Burton
• Richard Ceruolo
• Matthew Dolan
• John Giannetti – He is the most interesting name on this list, if only because of his unique background. He has actually already served a term in the House of Delegates from 1999-2003, and the State Senate from 2003-2007, representing a district based in Laurel. His time in the Senate was plagued with gaffes, miscues, and political stances that put him at odds with his party. In 2006, he was challenged by fellow Democrat Jim Rosapepe, a campaign that will always be remembered for Giannetti saving Rosapepe from choking in an Annapolis restaurant. Even still, it was Rosapepe who prevailed in the primary, 59-39%. Then, Giannetti switched parties to Republican and lost to Rosapepe again that November, this time by a spread of 68-32%. Giannetti switched back to the Democrats, and moved to Annapolis where he established a law firm. He has served on the Annapolis Transportation Board and the Annapolis Democratic Central Committee. Giannetti is the only former Delegate on this list and he certainly has the experience to make the case that he is a committed public servant. But will the AACDCC feel that his troubled term in the Senate should count against him? They may also simply be looking for a fresh face to appoint, which would rule him out. Regardless, the prospect of John Giannetti returning to the General Assembly is intriguing.
• Vickie Gipson – No one can deny Vickie Gipson’s commitment to the community, but I am surprised to see her on this list. In 2018 she was elected to serve as an Orphans Court Judge, the first Democrat to win an election for this position in 20 years. Does she not like the job?
• William “Henry” Green – The Rev. Green is a very highly-respected figure in Annapolis and in local Democratic Party circles. He ran for the House in District 33 back in 2014, but apparently now lives in District 30A. The AACDCC has several members who like Green a lot. He could also be a candidate who pledges not to run for a full term in 2022, thereby being a placeholder until the voters can choose the next delegate. If this is the case, then Green may be the choice of committee members who prefer someone who is not planning to run for re-election.
• Serpil Gulsen
• Chrissy Keene Holt – Chrissy Holt is a progressive activist, and several members of the AACDCC were elected on the same progressive wave that supported Holt’s campaign. Holt ran for State Senate in 2018, losing in the Democratic primary to Sarah Elfreth by a margin of 59-41%. She may be the choice of committee members who are looking to add a Bernie Sanders-style progressive to the House.
• Dana Jones
• Scott MacMullan – Attorney and host of The Annapolis Podcast Scott MacMullan is another also-ran from 2018, having been narrowly edged out by Lisa Rodvien 51-49% to represent Annapolis on the County Council. If MacMullan were selected to fill this vacancy, it would result in the District 30A delegation becoming gender- and race-balanced, which may be appealing to some members of the AACDCC.
• Loni Moyer – I don’t know Loni Moyer, but her last name may indicate a connection to the legendary Moyer family of public servants in Annapolis.
• Ian Pfeiffer – Ian Pfeiffer (I really just wanted to type that name again) served as Alderman for Annapolis’ seventh ward from 2009-17, but he had established a career as a legislative specialist long before then. During his time on the City Council, Pfeiffer emerged as a champion for local progressive causes. Since 2018, he has served as the Maryland State Director for the State Innovation Exchange. Pfeiffer has the experience and network to be an effective legislator, but will he have enough support from among the members of the AACDCC? Like Scott MacMullan, if Pfeiffer were selected to fill this vacancy, it would result in the District 30A delegation becoming gender- and race-balanced.
• Rhonda Pindell Charles – Rhonda Pindell Charles is currently three years into her first term on the Annapolis City Council, representing Ward 3. She has done an admirable job working to make Annapolis more inclusive for all residents.
• Jacqueline Roche
• Wayne Taylor – Wayne Taylor is an influential community leader in Annapolis. He currently serves as the chair for the Annapolis Commission on Aging.
• Eleanor “Elly” Tierney – Elly Tierney is serving her first term on the Annapolis City Council, representing Ward 1 in the Downtown and Murray Hill areas. While Tierney has been a prudent and available public servant, her elevation to the House of Delegates would trigger a special election for her swingy city council seat. Obviously that’s no reason to not select the best candidate, but it’s something worth keeping in the back of your mind if Tierney is selected.
• John Wardell
• John Wells

Whoever ends up being appointed will serve the remainder of Del. Cain’s term, which ends in 2022.