Baltimore Co.: Bartenfelder praises but doesn't endorse Holt
It wasn't an official endorsement.
But Baltimore County Councilman Joseph Bartenfelder, who was defeated in the Democratic primary for county executive last month, sure likes the Republican nominee for the county's top job, calling him "a person of honesty and integrity" at a gathering to thank his supporters Sunday night.
Bartenfelder praised Republican candidate Kenneth C. Holt, who attended the event with his wife Mary at the fire hall in Kingsville, but stressed his kind words for Holt were not an endorsement.
Bartenfelder, who lost the nomination to fellow Democrat Kevin Kamenetz, invited Holt.
"Let's get one thing clear," said Bartenfelder, in opening remarks to about 100 of his campaign volunteers who dined on burgers, hot dogs and barbecue chicken. "This is not an endorsement party."
Some in the crowd booed.
Later, Bartenfelder introduced Holt to raucous cheers.
"Ken is a person of honesty and integrity. Like someone said earlier, the people of Baltimore County are going to choose who's best...," Bartendfelder said, before addressing Holt directly."I'm proud to be here with you today and I'm proud to have you and Mary as friends."
Before the event kicked off, Bartenfelder told a reporter there would be no endorsement. But when asked if Holt's invitation could be construed as one, Bartenfelder said, "I'm not commenting on that. This is a supporters thank you party."
Of his relationship with Holt, Bartenfelder said, "He asked for advice. I give him advice, that's all.
Holt, who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination, said he would be glad to get Bartenfelder's endorsement.
"I think that Joe and I share a lot of values, a lot of conservative values," said Holt. "I think these folks who have been loyal to him see something in me that they can have faith in -- handling their tax money responsibly."
Bartenfelder, meanwhile, kept the door open on his own political aspirations, telling supporters to hold onto their campaign T-shirts.
"Don't throw them away," he said. "Who knows what four years is going to bring. You never say never."
Comments
The audience of volunteers endorsed Ken Holt .. both in their vigorous applause and later with their flood of private pledges of support.
Posted by: Joe Seehusen | October 11, 2010 8:12 AM
I think this is very interesting. I was surprised that Bartenfelder hadn't endorsed Kamenetz yet, and now it looks like he won't do it at all. Bartenfelder had a following, and the way his supporters cheered Kenny Holt, this could be big for him. I wish Holt the best and look forward to seeing if an endorsement comes out of this.
-Disclaimer: While this may not directly pertain to me, it does affect family and friends in Baltimore County.
Posted by: FromHarford | October 11, 2010 10:34 AM
This shows one of the reason Mr. Bartenfelder lost the Democratic contest. He is a Democrat in Name Only. If he weren't such a petty individual he would support his party's nominee in the general election. Anyone other than his loyal supporters could see this coming throughout the primary season. Mr. Bartenfelder has always been an I am for me candidate and I sure he would support anyone running against the person who beat him in any election.
Posted by: gragost | October 11, 2010 1:54 PM
Ken Holt's supporters have been cynically manipulating the disappointment of Joe's supporters since the second he was declared the loser. I was at this rally and was appalled that they'd boo the man at his own rally. I guess if they had class they'd be Democrats.
Posted by: Michael Knight | October 11, 2010 3:28 PM
Michael Knight, I think that you are spinning and misrepresenting. It was the bulk of the audience, not just Ken Holt supporters that were not happy with the lack of endorsement.
Posted by: BCResidentObserver | October 11, 2010 4:13 PM
It must be tough to lose an election but Joe Bartenfelder is no Democrat. He supported Ellen Sauerbray, Bob Ehrlich and many local Republicans for office during his years. He also supported both the Democrat and Republican when it served his purposes. He is just a sore loser but supporting a Republican is nothing new for Bartenfelder that is why I didn't vote for him.
Posted by: Joyce | October 11, 2010 6:36 PM
OMG-really Holt supporters:"cynically manipulating the disappointment of Joe's supporters"-that is far from what has happened and were very heartbroken to see how Joe was treated during the Primary campaign by the very negative tactics by Mr Kamenetz, it's not a "party" thing but one of supporting a candidate who will do what's best for the County.
Posted by: mrstahall | October 12, 2010 2:22 PM
Joe's 'new republican friends' were tight faced in the end. Will they ever learn to stop taking advantage?
Happy to share that Joe raised my hand high like 'Rocky' in the boxing ring and declaired, "Rebecca Nelson for State Senate, our best Nominee." The crowd cheered!
Joe thanked all his supporters and friends while the room filled up with ever republican candidate they could find in Baltimore County. Holt's wife jumped up out of her seat, in her neon yellow top, exclaiming she, "dressed for the occassion." What occassion?
Now, if the Holts would like to donate a few of them 120 acres for a high school, that would be an occassion worth jumping for!
The look on the republicans faces was a priceless moment on the campaign trail!
www.rebeccaforsenate.com
Posted by: Rebecca Weir Nelson | October 12, 2010 3:02 PM
There are a lot of Tea Party voters in Baltimore County who have no desire to see our property taxes continually going up and no real accountability from the Baltimore Democratic party. We welcome the Republican Candidate as a conservative with the taxpayers interests primary in his heart. There are more of us out here this year than the Democrats think. That is just fine with us. There are only three more weeks till we see how much times have changed in this one party state.
Posted by: nickel | October 12, 2010 3:19 PM
Some of you people make me sick with your party loyalty over candidate competency. As a registered independent, I am unable to vote in the primaries, but I have still been following all the candidates so as to make an informed decision when I vote. Whether you like Joe or not, it can actually be a great thing when democrats and republicans find some common ground every once in awhile -- that's how things actually get accomplished in the political world.
For those of Bartenfelder's supporters who choose to vote for the candidate that best supports their issues rather than the candidate with the shared D after their name, I applaud them for not voting strictly along party lines.
But unfortunately i know that ignorance and laziness will prevail and so many choose to vote like a crude binary robot with no brain.
Posted by: Kerrie | October 14, 2010 1:11 PM