Politics & Government

Montgomery County Democrat's Resignation Spurs Intraparty Diversity Fight

Who do you think should replace state Sen. Robert J. Garagiola, a Germantown democrat? Some say the seat should go to a minority, The Washington Post reports.

The resignation of state Sen. Robert J. Garagiola, a democrat from Germantown, may have sparked an intraparty fight over diversity, The Washington Post reports.

Garagiola, who represents northwest Montgomery County’s District 15, announced his resignation in June. His resignation is effective Sept. 1.

Del. Brian J. Feldman, of Potomac, has been considered a front-runner to replace Garagiola, and has gained the backing from his fellow legislators, Del. Aruna Miller and Sen. Nancy J. King, who represent northern Montgomery County.

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Many were upset at an announcement that the District 15 caucus’ endorsement of Feldman—though it was later clarified that it was the District 15 executive committee that had endorsed Feldman, not the caucus as a whole, The Post reports.

>>> See: ‘Montgomery minorities see an opportunity in Md. senate opening’ at WashingtonPost.com.

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The minority community sees the opening in District 15 as a chance to diversify to the all-white, eight-member delegation, especially in a county that is majority minority.

“The delegation doesn’t look like the county looks,” Karen Britto, former chairwoman of the Democratic Central Committee told the newspaper.

The Democratic Central Committee is expected to vote Sept. 10 on its recommendation to Gov. Martin O’Malley for who should replace Garagiola, several news outlets have reported.


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