District 14b

While Democrats are attacking delegates Robert H. Kittleman and Robert L. Flanagan on one side, fellow Republican John B. Clark contends the two incumbents are too liberal for the District 14B voters.When state Democratic leaders decided how to redraw state legislative districts after the 1990 Census, they carved out largely Democratic Columbia precincts that used to be in the 14th District, parceling them into a radically changed District 12, which stretches into southwest Baltimore County.

The Ellicott City condominium complex stood ominously before Bill Woodcock the other afternoon.Of 30 households, only six had registered Democrats.That's not good news for Woodcock, a Democratic candidate running for a House of Delegates seat in a district that has solidly backed two Republican incumbents in the past three elections.Not only that, those Republicans hold powerful leadership positions in the Maryland General Assembly: Robert H. Kittleman, the minority leader, and Robert L. Flanagan, the minority whip.

In the District 14B delegate race, the Republican incumbents and Democrat challengers are battling it out over the abortion question.Democrats Lloyd G. Knowles, 56, a former County Council member, and James B. Kraft, 41, a former county party chairman, say the state should remove all restrictions on Medicaid funding for abortions.Abortion is legal in Maryland. A 1968 law that banned abortion -- except for cases of rape, genetic defect or potential harm to the mother -- was voided in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision.

Primary battles for three Howard County seats in the Maryland House of Delegates ended with the close of the polls last night.In District 13A, Michael Grasso and Hans K. Meeder defeated Charles Fiege in the Republican primary for the right to challenge Democratic incumbents Shane Pendergrass and Frank S. Turner in November.In District 13B, John A. Giannetti Jr. defeated George J. Kapanoske for the Democratic nomination and will face Del. John S. Morgan, a Republican.In District 14B, Republican John B. Clark was unsuccessful in his attempt to unseat incumbents Robert L. Flanagan and Robert H. Kittleman.

The political twins of Howard County -- Dels. Robert L. Flanagan and Robert H. Kittleman -- announced yesterday that they are seeking re-election in newly redrawn District 14B."We are here [at Mr. Flanagan's Columbia law office] to announce our candidacy," Mr. Flanagan said. "We went to Annapolis, filed and paid our fee."Mr. Flanagan, who was cut out of the district when the lines were redrawn and moved to Dorsey's Search last month to qualify as a candidate, jumped right to the main theme of the campaign:"One of the things we're proudest of is the work of the Howard County delegation and how we pulled together as a team.

In newly redrawn District 14B, five Democratic candidates have lined up for a chance to unseat Republican House of Delegates stalwarts Robert H. Kittleman and Robert L. Flanagan.Richard E. Crabb, Bushrod W. Hopkins, Andrew D. Levy, Teresa M. Rush and Carolyn Willis are vying for two delegate seats representing a relatively conservative electorate in most of Ellicott City, western Howard County and a portion of northern Montgomery County.Mr. Hopkins is a 79-year-old Clarksville resident who said he once shook Calvin Coolidge's hand and now hopes to pass a state resolution to exonerate perennial presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche and to put the Federal Reserve System under the control of the federal government.

Columbia resident Mark R. Riso, a lobbyist for a mining association in Washington, says he wants to be a "foot soldier" for county residents in the Maryland House of Delegates."

The Ellicott City condominium complex stood ominously before Bill Woodcock the other afternoon.Of 30 households, only six had registered Democrats.That's not good news for Woodcock, a Democratic candidate running for a House of Delegates seat in a district that has solidly backed two Republican incumbents in the past three elections.Not only that, those Republicans hold powerful leadership positions in the Maryland General Assembly: Robert H. Kittleman, the minority leader, and Robert L. Flanagan, the minority whip.

Before the next General Assembly session begins this January, House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. must leave no doubt in his colleagues' minds that delegates from legislative districts that overlap jurisdictional boundaries deserve full membership and voting rights in the meetings of each subdivision's House delegation.The matter arose after the Democratic majority of the Montgomery County House delegation voted last week to oust Republican Dels. Robert H. Kittleman and Robert L. Flanagan of District 14B. The two delegates are based in Howard County, where 65,000 of their constituents live.

Primary battles for three Howard County seats in the Maryland House of Delegates ended with the close of the polls last night.In District 13A, Michael Grasso and Hans K. Meeder defeated Charles Fiege in the Republican primary for the right to challenge Democratic incumbents Shane Pendergrass and Frank S. Turner in November.In District 13B, John A. Giannetti Jr. defeated George J. Kapanoske for the Democratic nomination and will face Del. John S. Morgan, a Republican.In District 14B, Republican John B. Clark was unsuccessful in his attempt to unseat incumbents Robert L. Flanagan and Robert H. Kittleman.

Democratic Party activist Bill Woodcock yesterday launched his campaign for the House of Delegates, vowing to make a competitive bid for Howard County's most Republican district.Woodcock, 30, of Ellicott City, acknowledged his underdog status against a pair of powerful GOP legislators known as "the Bobs" -- Del. Robert H. Kittleman and Del. Robert L. Flanagan -- who have represented District 14B for a combined 28 years.But Woodcock tried to use the experience of his rivals against them, suggesting that they are more interested in "political posturing, gamesmanship and division" than in representing the district that includes Ellicott City, western Howard and Columbia's River Hill village.

Before the next General Assembly session begins this January, House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. must leave no doubt in his colleagues' minds that delegates from legislative districts that overlap jurisdictional boundaries deserve full membership and voting rights in the meetings of each subdivision's House delegation.The matter arose after the Democratic majority of the Montgomery County House delegation voted last week to oust Republican Dels. Robert H. Kittleman and Robert L. Flanagan of District 14B. The two delegates are based in Howard County, where 65,000 of their constituents live.

District 14, which covers all of the area west of Clarksville Pike (Route 108), is the only part of Howard County where Republicans dominate. Largely rural and conservative, this district, which includes a portion of Montgomery County, has nurtured several GOP leaders who are poised to take on greater roles in Annapolis.Given the apparent mood of the district and the potential of the candidates, Sen. Christopher J. McCabe deserves re-election. A year-old development officer, Mr. McCabe has proven to be an effective legislator who has been active on such issues as adoption and ethics reform.

Ellicott City lawyer Andrew D. Levy, who's trying to unseat Republican incumbents in District 14B, says "the two Bobs" are not telling the truth in a new cable TV ad in which they claim to have doubled the amount of school construction funds the county received.The 30-second spot for Dels. Robert H. Kittleman and Robert L. Flanagan began airing last week.More than 90 percent of the county's $12.9 million allotment for fiscal 1995 went to schools outside the district -- mainly to Del. Virginia M. Thomas' east Columbia district, Mr. Levy said.

Former County Executive Elizabeth Bobo criticized the Republican-dominated Howard County legislative delegation at a candidates forum yesterday, saying it takes a disingenuous approach to governing.Ms. Bobo, a Democratic candidate for delegate in District 12B, charged that the delegation consistently requests state money for school and road construction and other projects, boasting whenever financing comes through. On the other hand, it routinely advocates cutting taxes, she said."It's not an honest way to govern," Ms. Bobo said.

M. Elizabeth Bobo, ousted as county executive four years ago in a tide of local Republican victories, yesterday easily won the Democratic nomination for a new seat in the House of Delegates.Her victory all but guarantees Ms. Bobo, 50, a seat in Annapolis in the heavily Democratic District 12B, which includes most of western Columbia, Columbia Hills and southern Ellicott City.Ms. Bobo was one of 16 candidates who landed their parties' nominations to represent Howard County residents in the House of Delegates yesterday.

Democratic Party activist Bill Woodcock yesterday launched his campaign for the House of Delegates, vowing to make a competitive bid for Howard County's most Republican district.Woodcock, 30, of Ellicott City, acknowledged his underdog status against a pair of powerful GOP legislators known as "the Bobs" -- Del. Robert H. Kittleman and Del. Robert L. Flanagan -- who have represented District 14B for a combined 28 years.But Woodcock tried to use the experience of his rivals against them, suggesting that they are more interested in "political posturing, gamesmanship and division" than in representing the district that includes Ellicott City, western Howard and Columbia's River Hill village.

Homebuilders favor Ecker and HartmanThe Howard County Home Builders Political Affairs Committee has endorsed candidates who its members believe are favorable to their industry.In some races, they endorsed candidates for the primary and will reconsider the race before the general election.For county executive: Republican Charles Ecker and Democrat Sue Ellen Hartman are endorsed.In County Council races, District 1, Darrel Drown, R; in District 2, Vernon Gray, D, and Evelyn Tanner, R; District 3, Dennis Schrader, R; District 4, Mary Lorsung, D; and in District 5, Charles Feaga, R, won endorsements.

Friends of Wanda Hurt holding ice cream socialThe Friends of Wanda Hurt will sponsor a Have a Scoop on Wanda Hurt ice cream social today at the Lake Elkhorn Pavilion in Columbia.The free event is open to the public. Wanda Hurt is a candidate for the House of Delegates, District 13A. For more information, call Dennis D'Adamo at 740-4946.She received the endorsements of the Fifth Democratic Club and the Clean Water Action-Vote Environment, in addition to the Baltimore Sun, the Howard County Business and Commerce PAC, the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters and the Ellicott City Democratic Club.

Democratic Club lists endorsementsThe Ellicott City Democratic Club has endorsed these candidates in the primary:U.S. senator -- Paul S. Sarbanes.U.S. Representative, District 3 -- Benjamin L. Cardin.U.S. Representative, District 6 -- Stephen Crawford.Governor and lieutenant governor -- Parris Glendening and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.State comptroller -- Louis L. Goldstein.State senator, District 13 -- Edward J. Kasemeyer.State senator, District 13 -- Virginia M. Thomas.State senator, District 14 -- James Mundy.