Thumbnail Sketches of Lt. Gov. Candidates

Here are thumbnail sketches of each of the lieutenant governor candidates running in Tuesday’s primary, along with responses to two questions:
DEMOCRATS CANDIDATE: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
RUNNING MATE: Gov. Parris Glendening
DATE OF BIRTH: July 4, 1951
BIRTHPLACE: Greenwich, Conn.
DEGREES: Bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard University, 1973; law degree from University of New Mexico Law School, 1978
CURRENT JOB: Lieutenant governor, since January 1995
PREVIOUS JOBS: Deputy assistant U.S. attorney general, 1993-94; executive director of Maryland Student Service Alliance in the Maryland Department of Education, 1987-93; assistant Maryland attorney general, 1985-86; senior adviser to the House of Delegates Appropriations Committee, 1984-85; senior adviser to Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, 1983-84; attorney at New Haven, Conn., law firm of Clendenen & Lesser, 1978-80
HOME: Baltimore QUESTION 1: What changes, if any, need to be made to Maryland’s ethic laws?
ANSWER: “Some lobbyists clearly have too much influence, especially those trying to control the gun debate, gambling and tobacco. We must guarantee equal access to guard against improper influence. … In addition, Congressman [Benjamin] Cardin [D- Balt.] is chairing a special study commission on public ethics laws. We expect to see legislation strengthening the law after the commission has finished its work.”
QUESTION 2: Should cigarettes be taxed to curb teen smoking?
ANSWER: “The research is clear that higher prices result in less smoking and fewer kids starting to smoke in the first place. Keeping children away from cigarettes is one of the best things we can do for their health.”
CANDIDATE: Robert J. Dalton
RUNNING MATE: Terence McGuire
DATE OF BIRTH: Dec. 3, 1933
BIRTHPLACE: Springfield Gardens, N.Y. DEGREES: Bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, 1974; master’s degree in human resources management from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., 1976; CURRENT JOB: Consultant for engineering firms doing business in Asia, January 1985 – present
PREVIOUS JOBS: Marine Corps officer, June 1959 – October 1984, retired as lieutenant colonel; worker for the former Fairchild Camera & Instruments Corp. (now Fairchild Weston Systems Inc.) in Syosset, N.Y., August 1952 – June 1959; enlisted Marine in Korea, September 1948 – August 1952
HOME: Davidsonville, Anne Arundel County
QUESTION 1: What changes, if any, need to be made to Maryland’s ethic laws?
ANSWER: “Basically, we believe in more outside representation [on the ethics committee]. De-politicize [the committee], because politicians policing themselves creates a conflict of interest.”
QUESTION 2: Should cigarettes be taxed to curb teen smoking?
ANSWER: “I don’t think taxes should be raised for anything. No, I don’t think that’s a deterrent. They’ll [teen-agers] find the money somewhere.”
CANDIDATE: Mark S. Nafziger
RUNNING MATE: Lawrence K. Freeman
DATE OF BIRTH: April 10, 1953
BIRTHPLACE: Battle Creek, Iowa
DEGREES: Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa
CURRENT JOB: Political organizer for the Lyndon LaRouche movement, 1985 – present
PREVIOUS JOBS: Self-employed pharmacist in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
HOME: Baltimore
QUESTION 1: What changes, if any, need to be made to Maryland’s ethic laws?
ANSWER: “There has to be a complete review of this thing. Look at what happened to [former state Sen.] Larry Young. It was absurd to kick out a sitting state senator, a high-ranking African American, the chairman of a Senate health subcommittee. … He wasn’t charged, there was no day in court. He was kicked out because of innuendo in the Baltimore Sun and immorality within the ethics committee.”
QUESTION 2: Should cigarettes be taxed to curb teen smoking?
ANSWER: “It’s more of a cultural question – taxing cigarettes will not curb teen smoking.”
REPUBLICANS CANDIDATE: Richard D. Bennett
RUNNING MATE: Ellen R. Sauerbrey
DATE OF BIRTH: Aug. 12, 1947
BIRTHPLACE: Baltimore
DEGREES: Bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Pennsylvania, 1969; law degree from University of Maryland School of Law, 1973
CURRENT JOB: Partner at Baltimore law firm of Miles & Stockbridge, May 1993 – present
PREVIOUS JOBS: Chief counsel of congressional oversight committee investigating campaign finance, September 1997 – June 1998; U.S. attorney for Maryland, June 1991 – April 1993; partner at Weaver, Bendos, & Bennett, 1988-91; partner at Marr & Bennett, 1981-88; assistant U.S. attorney for Maryland, 1976-81 PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Chairman of Baltimore County Republican Party, 1986-91 HOME: Baltimore
QUESTION 1: What changes, if any, need to be made to Maryland’s ethic laws?
ANSWER: “There should be more frequent reporting, similar to what’s required during election years. My view is you should have quarterly filings so you can monitor their fund-raising.”
QUESTION 2: Should cigarettes be taxed to curb teen smoking?
ANSWER: “No, my father died of lung cancer, … but I do not believe in using taxes to dictate social behavior. In many states you just create a black market.”
CANDIDATE: Barbara Windsor
RUNNING MATE: Charles I. Ecker
DATE OF BIRTH: Sept. 16, 1949
BIRTHPLACE: Frederick DEGREES: Frederick High School diploma, some schooling at Madison College in Harrisonburg, Va.
CURRENT JOB: An executive vice president at Hahn Transportation Co. in New Market, Md., the trucking firm founded by her grandfather, 1991 – present
PREVIOUS JOBS: Chairwoman of Maryland Motor Truck Association, September 1997 – present; worked for Trans World Airlines, February 1970 – September 1989
HOME: New Market, Frederick County
QUESTION 1: What changes, if any, need to be made to Maryland’s ethic laws?
ANSWER: “We need to have the full [state ethics commission, headquartered in Towson] in Annapolis. We need to have an open door so people can readily answer questions. Because of the divided offices, we feel if this was a little more open-door, people would use it more.”
QUESTION 2: Should cigarettes be taxed to curb teen smoking?
ANSWER: “Education is the way to do it. Education is what’s needed in many social issues right now. Get them educated before they get addicted.” -30-