Sen. Munson, defeated in primary, runs in general
* Updated with Shank reaction.
Washington County Sen. Donald Munson announced yesterday that he will try to keep his seat as a write-in candidate in the Nov. 2 election.
Del. Christopher Shank toppled Munson last month in the Republican primary. But Munson, senator for two decades, isn't giving up.
"Since the primary, I have had a huge number of Republicans say to me that they simply took me for granted and didn't bother voting on primary day," Munson said this morning. "I gave it a great deal of thought, and I decided that if they have that much confidence in me, I'm going to use this one last piece of the process."
Munson said he completed the necessary paperwork yesterday and has already returned to the campaign trail.
Shank, who is otherwise unopposed in the General Election, said this afternoon that Munson is "waffling" in an attempt to "cling to power."
Munson's last-minute decision, Shank said, deprives voters of debates and forums between the two candidates.
The 72-year-old senator announced his decision last night on his Facebook page and in a Twitter posting.
"I have continuously received requests to fill out the paperwork required to allow those of you who insist on writing my name in to count," Munson wrote in a Facebook status update posted at about 8:30 p.m. "Now I need all of those who have encouraged me to show up at the polls on November 2nd and vote!!!"
At least 66 people "like" this status. Some people commented that they had already written in Munson's name when they voted early.
Shank, 38, posted his own reaction today, telling followers, "I am extremely disappointed that he would enter the race at such a late date."
The House minority whip ran against Munson on the platform that he's the more conservative of the two. Shank criticized Munson for "siding with Democrats," particularly in the budget process.
Munson is a member of the Senate budget committee and said he finds it disingenuous to oppose his own work product, though many Republicans vote against the budget every year.
Comments
It seems to me that the deadline to file as a write-in candidate (which was Oct. 27) should have been before early voting began. What if there was someone who would have voted for Sen. Munson had they known he was write-in candidate? Since he waited until the last day to file, anyone who may have wanted to vote for him, but didn't will now lose out.
Posted by: rusty | October 28, 2010 10:16 AM
Can't these people go away? What does it take for losers like Munson, Ehrlich and Redmer to go away
Posted by: Anonymous | October 28, 2010 10:46 AM
The voting process is fine, until they lose. Another reason for term limits. What arrogance to think that others cant serve as well as you. Our forefathers would be sickened by how these positions have changed from an opportunity to serve (for a time) to a full time occupation.
Posted by: Richard | October 28, 2010 10:51 AM
someone explain to rusty why his comment makes no sense.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 28, 2010 11:37 AM
Some of these elder "statesmen" need to allow the process be the process and accept defeat to the young conservatives who are ready to take on the mantle of leadership in this State. Vote Shank on November 2, for he is the future of MD!!!
Posted by: MrGiordano | October 29, 2010 9:58 AM