Md. environmental group sides with Senate challengers

The Maryland League of Conservation Voters issued an early round of endorsements Thursday that included some challengers to incumbent state senators from Montgomery County.

"We're looking for folks, particularly in the Senate, to show real leadership," said Cindy Schwartz, the environmental group's executive director. "We need people we can count on."

Among those passed over by the league was Sen. Jennie M. Forehand (D-Montgomery), a 32-year veteran of the legislature. The group instead gave its nod to her Democratic primary rival, former Montgomery delegate Cheryl C. Kagan.

Schwartz described Forehand as "a beautiful human being" but said she had voted the wrong way on a pair of greenhouse gas emissions bills.

The league similarly sided with Del. Karen S. Montgomery, who is challenging Sen. Rona E. Kramer in a Democratic Senate primary. And the league gave its blessing to the Senate primary bid of Del. Saqib Ali, who is challenging Sen. Nancy J. King in another Montgomery district.

Ali was quick to trumpet the endorsement in a news release, saying: "One of the primary reasons I am running for state Senate is to fight for cleaner air and water, smarter growth and a healthier Chesapeake Bay."

The list of nearly 60 endorsements included many incumbents as well, including House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) -- but had some notable omissions. Among them: Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert).

Schwartz said her group is not done yet and will bless another batch of candidates in another month or so. Asked about Miller, she said: "He doesn't have a race, so we're not there yet."

The list included two Republicans: Del. Steven R. Schuh (R-Anne Arundel), and Don Alcorn, a farmer who is challenging Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne's) in the GOP primary.

The league also endorsed two candidates for statewide office: Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) and Comptroller Peter Franchot (D). Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) had already received its endorsement.

The complete list, as issued by the league on Thursday, is below.

Maryland League of Conservation Voters
2010 Endorsements - June 10, 2010

Statewide candidates

Attorney General Doug Gansler
Comptroller Peter Franchot

Legislative candidates

District

6 John Olszewski, House

10 Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, House

11 Dan Morhaim, House
11 Dana Stein, House
11 Jon Cardin, House

12B Elizabeth Bobo, House

13 Frank Turner, House
13 Guy Guzzone, House
13 Shane Pendergrass, House

14 Del. Karen Montgomery, Senate, Challenger
14 Anne Kaiser, House