Insider Politics Blog

Toilet Activist Files to Run for Maryland Lt. Governor

Duane Davis, known for leaving toilets as political protest outside the Historic Courthouse in Towson, is running as a Republican in 2014.

A Milford Mill man known for political protests involving putting toilets in front of a county government building in Towson has filed as a candidate for Lt. Governor in 2014. Duane "Shorty" Davis has filed as the running mate with Brian Vaeth, a Perry Hall man. Davis was charged in February 2011 with planting a fake destructive device in the form of a toilet outside the Historic Courthouse in Towson and making false statements about a fake destructive device. He was acquitted of those charges seven months later. Davis, a caterer, said in a February 2013 article that the incident in 2011 was a protest of alleged corruption in Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration. He claims that he had made political statements using toilets previously, …

•  65 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

Report: Brown in Talks with Ulman About Lt. Governor's Office

Current Lt. Governor Anthony Brown may be trying to persuade Howard County Executive Ken Ulman into running with him, according to the Washington Post.

  Would Howard County Executive Ken Ulman be interested in becoming Lt. Governor Ken Ulman? On Saturday, the Washington Post reported that Ulman may be in talks with current Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown about being Brown's running mate in the 2014 gubernatorial election. Brown, Ulman and Attorney General Doug Gansler are considered by many as leading Democratic candidates for the Governor's office in 2014. The Post reports that a Brown/ Ulman alliance could eliminate much of Gansler's fundraising advantage. Currently Gansler has about $5.2 million in his campaign coffers compared to Ulman's $2.1 million and Brown's $1.6 million, according to the Post. But would Ulman, who at 32 when first elected in 2006, was the youngest county executive…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Opponents Appear to Have Votes to Repeal Death Penalty

Capital punishment in Maryland already is effectively dead, according to some prosecutors.

By Julia Maldonado, Capital News Service A bill that would repeal the death penalty in Maryland appears to have the votes needed to clear the Senate, adding momentum to Gov. Martin O’Malley and proponents’ push for repeal. But some prosecutors and other death penalty supporters say a repeal would only make official what is already true—capital punishment doesn’t really exist in Maryland. The state has one of the most restrictive death penalty laws in the country. Combine that with bureaucratic opposition from the governor and judges’ reluctance to impose the ultimate penalty, and even the most violent criminals are not likely to ever be executed, some say. “I don’t want them to ever have the opportunity to do it again,” said Sen. Kathleen …

•  66 Comments
• Photos (1)

George Washington

3:13 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013

This state has gone over to the dark side and it is crime ridden and very uncivilized. Pro death penalty because some malicious animals deserve to die!   more ›

If He’s Running for Governor, Attorney General Doug Gansler Isn’t Saying

Right now, Gansler said the biggest issue in his office is the implementation of mortgage relief settlements for homeowners.

  By DAVID GUTMA Capital News Service COLLEGE PARK - The non-denial denial, disavowing interest in higher office while not ruling anything out, has long been a necessity for the ambitious politician. Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, who is rumored to be planning a gubernatorial run, brushes off questions about his political future with a metaphor. “I tell my kids all the time -- they’re thinking about where they’re going to go to college -- I say don’t miss high school because you’re worried about where you’re going to go to college,” Gansler said. “If you do a really, really good job in high school you’ll be able to go to whatever college you want.” To suss out the metaphor, Gansler’s first choice college is thought to be governor …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

Federal Court Lifts Stay In Maryland Gun Permit Case

State sought delay in implementing ruling that declared Maryland's "good and substantial reason" requirement for a gun permit was unconstitutional.

UPDATED (4:16 p.m.)—A U.S. District Court judge has lifted a stay on a federal court ruling that declared Maryland's permitting process to wear and carry a gun unconstitutional. The order, issued by Judge Benson Everett Legg, lifts a stay sought by the state as it appeals the decision made last year. Legg's ruling, which goes into effect in 14 days, lifts the stay sought by the state after a federal court ruled that the law requiring those seeking a permit to carry a gun must have "a good or substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun, such as a finding that the permit is necessary as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger." David Paulson, a spokesman for Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, said the ruling "is…

•  584 Comments
• Photos (2)
• Documents (2)

John T.

9:53 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013

Marje. I guess it would be better that only the 6'3" 200lb criminal is the only one that has a gun. I guess that would be better for public safety. Just not for the woman being attacked.   more ›