Here is a Benstorming commentary looking at the House of Delegates race in District 8. The following commentary is not an endorsement of any candidate.
In District 8, all three Democratic Delegates (Nick Allen, Harry Bhandari and Kim Ross) are seeking reelection, but they are facing a challenge as Marsha Briley-Savage is trying to take one of their seats.
According to Briley-Savage she has received some criticism for challenging the three Democratic delegates but she is not backing down.
“Some have questioned my right to run, or asked why I am challenging a ticket that includes an appointed official- actually Senator Jackson was appointed as well. My response to them is simple, public service is about serving the people, not protecting a political machine,” Briley-Savage said.
When District 8 State Senator Kathy Klausmeier was appointed to Baltimore County Executive in 2024 , it started a domino effect in the District.
Delegate Carl Jackson was appointed to the Senate to replace Klausmeier and his seat became available. Briley-Savage and Ross were in the running with Ross receiving the appointment to the vacant seat by the Democratic Central Committee.
Briley-Savage told Eastcountytimes.com she didn’t like the process.
“My decision to enter this race was heavily solidified during the vacancy appointment process. I interviewed for that open seat in good faith. However, I was advised before the interviews even took place that Kim Ross was already the chosen pick. This calls into serious question the integrity of the entire appointment process,” Briley-Savage wrote in an email.
“When a political machine handpicks an individual behind closed doors and then presents them to the public as an “incumbent,” it completely bypasses the voters. It undermines the very foundation of our democracy. Voters, not party insiders, should decide who represents District 8 in Annapolis.”
On the Republican side, Glen Geelhaar is running again and has some name recognition. Jacqueline Stevenson is a first-time candidate and raised around $1,700.
It appears that Geelhaar and Stevenson could take the top two spots with Zulieka Baysmore, Brian Campbell and Steven Riemer battling it out for the last spot. Baysmore is an experienced campaigner but recently moved to the district.
Brian Campbell has some name ID since he ran for Clerk of the Court in 2022 and Riemer is on the ticket with Geelhaar and Stevenson. Not sure which one has the advantage.