The GOP on GGP

With the county elections just one year away, the line up of Republican challengers to the Democratic majority in Howard County is still in flux. Even Bob Flanagan, who has already launched a website, hasn’t yet formally announced his candidacy.

Last month, in this article by Larry Carson in The Sun, Trent Kittleman indicated that “she's seriously considering running for county executive next year,” while Dennis Schrader who has been eyeing a possible challenge to Jen Terassa in District 3 was quoted in the same article saying “ I've moved into taking a more serious look at it."

You would think these “potential” candidates would be buoyed by the GOP gains in the statewide elections held last week in Virginia and New Jersey. Now would seem like a good time to seize on that momentum and announce their intentions.

Or could it be that they are watching to see how General Growths proposed redevelopment plans for Town Center play out in public over the next few months?

Those opposed to GGP’s plans have made it known that they will actively work for new leadership in the next council elections. If the majority Democratic council ends up approving GGP’s plans will the GOP candidates be tempted to pander to those who feel the county “sold out” to the development community?

My guess is that the “unannounced” GOP candidates will wait to see how the strongly the political winds blow on this hot button issue.