Vovak endorses Hanson over Rice in District 2 (Upcounty)

Daniel Vovak, a candidate for Montgomery County Executive, has endorsed Royce Hanson in the District 2 (Upcounty) political Democrat contest. Vovak, of Bethesda, said he made the decision after phone calls with both Hanson and Robin Ficker, a former delegate and activist with Libertarian leanings. Vovak says Hanson accepted his endorsement and welcomed it.

Vovak's endorsement comes on the heels of a peculiar endorsement by Governor Martin O'Malley and County Executive Isiah Leggett, both of whom endorsed Craig Rice, a first-term delegate in District 15. In spite of the Washington Post endorsing Hanson, Maryland's two most powerful executives hand-picked a rookie over a veteran.

Vovak says, "When I read the joint press release that O'Malley and Leggett issued, I thought that if they would have substituted the name "Craig Rice" with "Royce Hanson" then it would have been accurate. I can understand why Governor O'Malley endorsed Rice, because he is closer to him in Annapolis, so Royce doesn't have much of a working relationship with O'Malley. But Leggett's endorsement of Rice is fundamentally disturbing. Why would Leggett not want Montgomery County's most knowledgeable land-use authority on the county council? Royce Hanson is a legend in Montgomery County and here our county executive wants to treat Hanson like a fossil."

Vovak added that, should Hanson be elected, that he will, nevertheless, resist some of Hanson's ambitious, costly plans. "That is why democracy exists in America," says Vovak. "Ideas are supposed to be at the table of government leaders and then publicly those ideas are aired out. Hanson's ideas are fresh and passionate and Rice is soggy. Besides, Rice is too shiny for my political tastes."

To win, Vovak is openly courting Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to work together to improve Montgomery County services with a less costly government. Previously, he announced the appointment of Councilman Mike Knapp as his chief administrative office.

NOTE: An earlier version of this press release was not clear that Vovak's endorsement did not cover the general election.

SOURCE: Vovak campaign