State Dems weighing Jones ouster in Balto. Co.
Julian E. Jones Jr., will know before Thanksgiving whether he’ll be allowed to keep his spot on the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee.
Jones appeared before the state Democratic Party’s credentials committee last night in Annapolis to review the matter, in which local party officials sought to remove him for mounting a write-in challenge to County Councilman Ken Oliver. Oliver beat Jones in September in the same Democratic primary in which Jones was elected to the central committee.
He described Wednesday's hearing as “very contentious.” He argued that the process for removing him was not followed, saying that it could only be done by a majority vote among Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee members or by petition from three people who live in the district that he represents on the committee. He expects to receive a decision within the next five business days.
Jones said a county central committee officer told him to resign from the committee shortly after he filed his write-in campaign paperwork. Jones said he reviewed the bylaws and felt that he wasn’t in violation.
He’s pledged to “fight it to the end” regardless of the committee’s decision.
“I’m not just fighting for me, but fighting for those who entrusted me to represent them,” he said.
Jones said he’s concerned that the rules for removal aren’t being applied equally.
“There are plenty of others who have violated the rules who have not been removed. I heard that someone lived out of state,” he said. “Do you follow them all the time or do you pick and choose?”
Comments
Wow the Democratic party is viscious. You have a corrupt person who was convicted of theft running to maintain his seat on the baltimore Co Council and won the primary. Mr. Jones has enough energy to mount a write in campaign a pretty successful effort at that and what happens they attack him??? The person who should be booted out is Mr. Oliver
Posted by: In the Know | November 18, 2010 8:54 PM
Politics-Everyone must be held accountable for what they do. People need to start speaking up more on what they know and can prove to be wrong.
Posted by: liz4 | November 22, 2010 10:43 AM
It's no wonder the Democratic Party wants to get rid of Julian Jones. He is a gentleman, honest, hard-working, intelligent and devoted to representing his constituents. Sure doesn't meet the requirements to be a Democrat in today's world.
Posted by: Jeanne Turnock | November 24, 2010 8:50 AM
Mr. Jones was elected to help run the Maryland Democratic party and nothing more than that. The primary job of central committee members (whether Democrats or Republicans) is to work for the election of those who win their party's nominations. Mounting a write-in campaign against the party's duly elected nominee is a clear violation of that duty. There's nothing wrong with mounting a write-in campaign, but please have the integrity to resign from the central committee before you do so.
Posted by: annie v. | November 24, 2010 9:17 PM