Republicans In The News
Redmer to make Senate intentions official
Date: August 11, 2008
Publication: The Jeffersonian
Author: Bryan Sears
Former-Del. Al Redmer is expected to formally announce his interest in replacing Republican state Sen. Andy Harris should Harris be elected to Congress this November. Redmer confirmed that he plans on making the announcement tonight at a meeting of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee.
Redmer joins three other Republicans who are also interested in the seat. J.B. Jennings and Pat McDonough and restauranteur Sergio Vitale.
Harris, who is in his third term the 7th District, is the Republican nominee in Maryland’s District 1 congressional race against Democrat Frank Kratovil.
Two-thirds of the 7th District is in eastern Baltimore County stretching from Cockeysville to parts of Perry Hall and Middle River. The remaining third of the district is contained in an adjoining portion of western Harford County.
Should Harris win, GOP Central Committee members from Baltimore and Harford Counties will be called upon to submit the name of a replacement to Gov. Martin O’Malley.
Redmer previously served from 1991 to 2003 in the House of Delegates, including three years as House minority leader, representing the 8th District which includes Perry Hall, Parkville and Overlea. In 2003 he was appointed state insurance commissioner.
He and his wife now live in a home in Middle River.
Redmer has been informally meeting with Republican Central Committee members in small informal gatherings for some time.
"The reason I’ve been doing it quietly is that I did not want a lot of focus to be on who’s going to replace Andy Harris," Redmer said in a phone interview. "Quite frankly, I think the focus and attention and work should be on getting Andy Harris elected to Congress."
But Redmer said he was encouraged to make an appearance at a meeting of the county central committee and make some sort of an official announcement. Such an announcement also allows Redmer to begin to hold fund raising events for a senate campaign.
The ability to raise money now could be key since a replacement senator would likely be named just weeks before the opening of the 2009 General Assembly session and 18-months before the 2010 election. Legislators are legally prohibited from raising money during the session.
It is likely that Harris’ replacement will face a strong challenge from Democrats. Councilman Vince Gardina has nearly $150,000 cash in his campaign account, according to the most recent report filed with the State Board of Elections, and is considered to be a likely Democratic candidate for the seat.
Redmer said he believes he is best suited to keep the seat in Republican hands no matter who the Democratic candidate is "based on my experience, name recognition and ability to raise a competitive amount of money."