MARYLAND U.S. GOVT WORKERS EYE CUTBACKS UNDER TRUMP: Given that more than $1 of every $10 in wages paid in Maryland comes from the U.S. government, many residents will be closely watching to see whether President-elect Donald Trump’s administration moves to fullfill his campaign promise of cutting back on the federal workforce and relocating some agencies from the DMV to other parts of the country. “This would have a disproportionate effect in Maryland,” said Darius Irani, chief economist for the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University. Jean Marbella/The Baltimore Sun.
RASKIN TO FIGHT NADLER FOR TOP DEM SPOT ON JUDICIARY: After initially resisting entreaties to run for the post, U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Takoma Park) announced Monday that he will seek to become the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee – expected to be the focus of numerous high-profile battles between House Democrats and the incoming Trump administration. Raskin’s move puts him on a collision course with the current top Democrat on the committee, U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, who has indicated he will fight to hold onto the post. Louis Peck/MoCo 360.
- “This is where we will wage our front-line defense of the freedoms and rights of the people, the integrity of the Department of Justice and the FBI, and the security of our most precious birthright possessions: the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the rule of law, and democracy itself,” Raskin said in a “Dear Colleague” letter to lawmakers on Monday. “I respectfully and humbly ask for your support for my candidacy.” Jacob Fischler/Maryland Matters.
THANKS TO REP. HARRIS, FREEDOM CAUCUS TO BE MORE FRIENDLY TO TRUMP: President-elect Donald Trump will come into power next month with something he didn’t have in his first term: a friendly House Freedom Caucus. He has Maryland Congressman Andy Harris to thank for that — at least partially. Cathy Woodall/The Baltimore Sun.
ALSOBROOKS RESIGNS AS COUNTY EXEC, SETTING STAGE FOR SPECIAL ELECTION: Almost a month after winning her bid for the U.S. Senate, Angela Alsobrooks formally resigned Monday as Prince George’s county executive — setting the stage for a pair of special elections to fill her job and, potentially, more special elections if one of the county officials vying for the spot wins. Katie Mettler and Jasmine Hilton/The Washington Post.
- Had she waited before resigning, the County Council would have picked Alsobrooks’ replacement. Now, at least three people formally announced plans Monday to run for executive. At-large County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D) and County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D), who was recently elected to the other countywide at-large seat, threw their hats in the ring, while Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D), who said on Nov. 8 that she planned to run for county executive, made it official Monday. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
COMEDIAN, PASTOR AND POLITICIANS APPLY TO REPLACE OLSZEWSKI: A dozen people have applied to succeed Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. when he steps down to in January before being sworn into Congress. The dozen hopefuls — men and women — include a former state senator who lost the job to Olszewski in a narrow election, a comedian, a pastor, a former council member and a former state agency secretary. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
2nd MARYLANDER SEEKS DNC CHAIRMANSHIP: Former Gov. Martin O’Malley is no longer the only Maryland candidate in the race to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee. Robert Kennedy Houton, a Bethesda residentwho unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate this year, wrote to all the DNC members Sunday declaring his candidacy. The DNC is scheduled to pick a replacement for outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison on Feb. 1, during its annual winter meeting at National Harbor in Prince George’s County. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
BALTIMORE BET ON A CASINO. HOW DID IT FARE? In recent decades, especially after the 2008 recession, state and local governments looked to casinos as a way to make money and create jobs without raising taxes. Starting in 2010, Maryland sprinkled casinos in six very different locations across state. All six have faced challenges. At times, they’ve cannibalized each other’s business. Public data from state regulators shows their revenues dropped whenever a new competitor opened. Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino has only partially lived up to its promise. Giacomo Bologna and Hallie Miller/The Baltimore Banner.
MOSBY SAYS GOODBYE TO BALTIMORE CITY COUNCIL: On Monday, Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby smacked his gavel and said his customary “Baltimore, we love you,” putting a bow on the legislative session for the 73rd Baltimore City Council. While he still has to preside over the Board of Estimates meeting on Wednesday, the end of Monday’s council meeting was, symbolically, that of this chapter of his political career. Mosby’s four-year term as council president was plagued by scandal and personal drama while also buoyed by his perseverance. Lee O. Sanderlin/The Baltimore Banner.
NEARLY 77% OF MO CO VOTERS CAST BALLOTS IN GENERAL ELECTION: Nearly 77% of eligible Montgomery County voters cast a ballot in the Nov. 5 general election, according to results certified Wednesday by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. This is slightly lower than the county’s turnout during the 2020 presidential election, in which nearly 80% of county residents cast a ballot, according to state elections board data. In 2016, nearly 74% of residents cast a ballot. Ginny Bixby/MoCo 360.
HARFORD COUNCIL FILES MORE DOCUMENTS IN LAWSUIT: In court documents filed Monday, lawyers representing the Harford County Council outlined more evidence they say shows “secretive wrongful acts” by former council member Dion Guthrie, who was removed from his seat last month. Among the documents submitted is a Nov. 10 email from Guthrie asking Council President Patrick Vincenti for a “confidential” meeting “over a beer” to reach “an agreement.” “No one has to know we met,” Guthrie wrote in the email. Matt Hubbard/The Aegis.
GLEN BURNIE MAN CHARGED IN FLAME-THROWER TRIBUTE TO TRUMP: A Glen Burnie man was charged with a felony Sunday after authorities reviewed a TikTok video “clearly” showing him burning the words “TRUMP” and “USA” onto the road outside his home, according to the Maryland Judiciary. An investigator with the Anne Arundel County Fire Marshal Division wrote in charging documents that Craig Philip McQuin used an illegal flamethrower to spell out the two words. Luke Parker/The Baltimore Sun.
