Maryland Politics: Weldon of Frederick steps back even further - Your source of news and gossip from the Mason-Dixon Line to the Potomac

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January 3, 2009

Weldon of Frederick steps back even further

The Frederick New-Post is reporting that Del. Rick Weldon has chosen to resign as head of the Frederick County delegation.

It's an important post, because in Maryland, county delegations hold broad authority over legislation affecting that jurisdiction, and, by convention, the full General Assembly defers to the wishes of a county delegation. The delegation head can help shape such matters as local liquor licenses and some tax rates.

Weldon is the Assembly's only independent, having left the Republican Party last fall. He has already announced he is not seeking re-election in 2010. Some Republicans were grumbling that Weldon needed to leave the delegation post after he changed his party affiliation. Weldon told the newspaper that he didn't think he could adequately fulfill his responsibilities as president and CEO of Frederick County's United Way.

Posted by David Nitkin at 4:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Comments

What was Weldon thinking when he didn't resign the chairmanship along with his party membership?

Was it possible he thought he would be re-elected by the delegation?

Was it possible he thought the chairmanship was the will of the electorate?

Weldon apparently thought it was a good thing to claim allegiance to Republican Party principles, which is what voters assume when someone runs as a party member. Weldon was also able to sell the delegation on both his party loyalties and abilities to reach agreement with opponents. His disappointments must be depressing.

We can only hope that he will represent his constituents during the remainder of this term, and thank him for stepping aside early enough for someone with a stronger self understanding to campaign honestly. May the voters not impugn his behaviors to his would be successor.

Posted by: Bruce Robinson | January 7, 2009 11:59 AM

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About the bloggers

Laura Smitherman has been ensconced in the State House basement, writing about the governor, General Assembly and vagaries of Maryland politics for several years. An erstwhile business reporter, her interest in politics dates to her days in Washington when she covered Congress and national campaigns for another media outlet. She now follows a range of policy debates from slot-machine gambling to universal health care and energy regulation, while keeping an eye on the next election.

Paul West covers Washington for The Baltimore Sun, continuing a tradition that began the month the paper was born, in 1837. He hasn't been in the DC bureau that long--only since Ronald Reagan was president. He's covered Congress, the White House and presidential campaigns as the paper's national political correspondent and Washington bureau chief. He's on the lookout for news of significance to Sun readers at the other end of the B/W Parkway. That includes the activities of the state's congressional delegation and anything else that might shed some light on the inner workings of the nation's capital.

Julie Bykowicz's first days as a political reporter, in January 2009, coincided with Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's indictment and the start of the Maryland General Assembly's 426th legislative session. She focuses on coverage of state agencies, such as social services, juvenile justice and prisons. During the session, she wrote about the death penalty, slots parlors and speed cameras, among other hot topics. Julie began political reporting after more than seven years on The Baltimore Sun's crime desk. She lives in Baltimore and works primarily in Annapolis.

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