Philosophies, not Parties, at Play in Election

Bruce Kahl believes he can make history on Election Day.

The 56-year-old Essex native knows he is a political newcomer, but is confident that the time is right for a Republican to represent the state's Sixth legislative district, which includes Essex, Dundalk and Rosedale.

Kahl, a senior Army JROTC instructor at Patapsco High, is running for state senate with the hopes of unseating Sen. Norman Stone, a Democrat who first took office in 1960.

"The citizens of the district deserve to have a choice," said Kahl, who retired as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army in 2000.  "People who have lived here forever remember what Norm Stone has done for them, whether it be get a pothole fixed or take care of another community-related problem, but that doesn't mean he should just get a free pass."

Kahl is one of several Republicans who believe they have a chance to win either a state or local race in eastern Baltimore County despite Democrats' decades-long hold on public offices here.

For example, county Councilman Joe Olszewski, a Democrat, is unopposed in the general election. Fellow county Councilman Joe Bartenfelder, also a Democrat, represented much of Middle River for 16 years before giving up his seat to run for Baltimore County executive.  

Bartenfelder's council seat will be filled either by Cathy Bevins, a Democrat, or Ryan Nawrocki, a Republican. Their race is very competitive and could go either way.

Also, Del. Joseph "Sonny" Minnick has represented the Sixth District since 1994 while Del. Mike Weir Jr. has been in office since 2002. He took over the seat held by his late father, Mike Weir Sr., when he retired after 28 years in the state legislature. Del. John Olszewski Jr. has represented the district since 2006, but has been active in the area for several years and is the son of longtime Councilman John Olszewski Sr.

"We represent the district in everyway possible," said Weir, a retired captain in the Baltimore County Fire Department. "I bring the perspective from the fire department, [Minnick] is a veteran and small business owner, [Olszewski] is a teacher and [Stone] is a lawyer].

"Because of our diverse backgrounds we are able to educate each other on areas we may not understand and come to a consensus as a group."

A contrast in voting

However, while former Gov. Robert Ehrlich, a Republican, trails Democratic incumbent Gov. Martin O'Malley in practically every poll, he remains very popular in the Essex-Middle River area.

The Arbutus native has made several appearances in Essex over the last few months, including at the Portside Pub last Monday to outline how he would handle a transition if elected.

In 2006, Ehrlich garnered 10,245 votes in the Essex/Middle River area compared to 8,583 for Gov. Martin O'Malley. Republicans in eastern Baltimore County are hoping to ride Ehrlich's popularity, along with frustration with Democrats in Washington, D.C., to victory.

"The voting patterns have shown the tendency to vote Republican down the ballot," Ehrlich said. "It hasn't reached the state legislature yet, but Ronald Regan did well here and I think [Republican county executive nominee] Ken Holt will fair well here. I think you've seen a willingness from an area that is maybe 7 to 1 Democratic to vote Republican.

"These are hard-working blue-collar people and reminds me of Arbutus," Ehrlich added.  "I can relate to this community, I've spent a lot of time in this community and we have a lot of support in this community as well."

Olszewski said he and the other Sixth District incumbents understand the conservative nature of the district, including supporting small businesses, veteran affairs and public safety.

"We understand every issue impacting our district," Olszewski said. "We don't pretend to individually know everything which is why we lean on each other to educate ourselves."

Voting for people, not party

Ric Metzgar and Bob Long, Republicans running for the House of Delegates in the Sixth District, believe in today's economic climate people are looking much closer at the candidate and not their political party.

"I'm a part of this community," said Metzgar, 56, general manager of G&M Motors in Essex. "I've been out there listening to the needs of the citizens and they are tired of being overtaxed and watching spending grow out of control."

"People in this district want to see a change in Annapolis," said Long, 53, a real estate broker. "They don't just want a one-party state anymore."

Minnick said while he and the other incumbents are Democrats, they are independent-minded. He points to the support himself, Weir and Stone offered to Councilman Joe Bartenfelder in his failed bid for county executive against Councilman Kevin Kamenetz in the Democratic primary.  Kamenetz received the support of many high-profile Democrats, including Olszewski Sr.

"It's good for people to feel like they have a choice in the primary and general election," said Minnick, who along with the others Sixth District incumbents are backing Kamenetz against Holt. "We have known [Bartenfelder] for decades and believe he reflected our views. But, once the primary is over we will back the nominee from our party."