Campaign 1994

A grass-roots advocacy group aiming to phase out "career politicians" has succeeded in putting a measure on the Nov. 8 ballot that will allow Baltimore voters to decide if the mayor and others should be limited to two terms in office.The measure, sponsored by Marylanders for Term Limits, would apply to all city officials -- including the comptroller and City Council members -- elected in November 1995. If it passes, elected officials could serve no more than two four-year terms."Incumbency is a terrible, terrible thing," said Lisa Renshaw, chairwoman of the advocacy group.

Larry E. Walker is a neophyte. He knows it, he hates it. He hopes it will not matter.Since the county police corporal entered the Democratic primary for county executive in January, he has won the respect of his five rivals -- all veterans of the political game -- with his grasp of issues, articulate delivery and commitment.His campaign signs, with their patriotic stars-and-stripes design, dot the landscape around Annapolis and across southern Anne Arundel. He is airing a 30-second spot on cable television introducing himself as a 25-year police veteran, operator of a charter plane service and owner of a home improvement business.

Like a political Energizer Bunny, Baltimore County Executive Roger B. Hayden has absorbed blow after blow -- a few self-inflicted -- yet he keeps on going, and going, and going.Only months after he took office in 1991, the luck that transformed the former steel company executive from a Johnny-come-lately political novice to the first Republican Baltimore County executive since Spiro T. Agnew seemed to desert him.A series of personal and political crises, as well as a recession that battered the county treasury, often kept him preoccupied as he tried to establish himself as a professional manager trying to streamline county government.

A two-year political courtship paid off in a big way for Parris N. Glendening yesterday as Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke threw his support to the Prince George's County executive, a move that could dramatically alter the shape of the contest for Maryland's next governor.The mayor's endorsement is a development of the first order, as it links the leading Democratic candidate from the burgeoning suburban Washington area, which has not elected a governor since 1867, with the city that has historically dominated the politics of the state.

The West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Congressional and Senatorial Candidates' Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 .m. Oct. 14 at Kaufmann's Tavern, 329 Gambrills Road, Gambrills.Candidates from Districts 1, 3 and 5 will participate.The cost is $7.50.Reservations are requested.Information: 672-3422.

Tomorrow is the last day to register to vote in the Sept. 13 Maryland primary election.People registering to vote must be U.S. citizens, 18 years old by the Nov. 8 general election, must not have been disqualified by a criminal record and must not be under guardianship for mental disability.To vote in the primary election, voters must be affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican party.Voter registration applications are available at the Harford County Election Office, 18 Office St., Bel Air.Registration applications also can be obtained at the Motor Vehicle Administration on Route 24 in Bel Air.Applications also are available at all post offices, libraries and most state agencies.

The Black Police Officers Association of Anne Arundel County has endorsed Democrat Theodore J. Sophocleus for county executive.In a two-paragraph letter sent Friday to Mr. Sophocleus' headquarters in the 100 block of Crain Highway, the Severn-based officers' organization cited the Democrat for his "balanced approach of economic realism, understanding of social needs, and the administration of principles of inclusion necessary to serve our county."The letter was signed by the organization's president, Officer Charles R. Ravenell, and its vice president, Officer Brian Fleming.

The money flowed out much faster than it came into the campaigns of the four major candidates for Baltimore County executive, according to finance reports for the 16-day period ending Friday.With Tuesday's primary drawing close, expensive television and direct mail advertising took its toll on the candidates' treasuries.For example, media ads drained $66,812.14 of incumbent Republican Roger B. Hayden's money. The executive's first television spots appeared this week on commercial stations.

Democrat Barbara O. Kreamer, a former state delegate who made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 1990, officially declared her candidacy yesterday for the state's 2nd District seat being vacated by Republican Helen D. Bentley.Mrs. Kreamer, whose first political election was to the Harford County Council in 1978, made the announcement at Bel Air High School, where she taught English for five years before entering public service.She said her campaign and term in office would focus on four issues: "more and better jobs, quality schools, safer neighborhoods and clean government."

On Nov. 8, Marylanders will chose between two gubernatorial candidates with contrasting views on public spending and government's roe in our daily lives.The Democrat, Prince George's County Executive Parris N. Glendening, offers management experience, a hold-the-line approach to taxes and a fervent belief in the importance of property managed government programs.During 16 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, Ellen R. Sauerbrey has delivered a consistent message of the need to shrink government, cut taxes and get tough on crime, The Baltimore County legislator's campaign is built on a promise to cut personal income taxes by 24 percent over four years.