Who’s Harry Voting For?
Happy Sunday, Ward One
If you walk down almost any street in Annapolis, you’ll see the yard signs announcing that it’s campaign season. In this newsletter, I lay out how I’m thinking about every single race on the Democratic primary ballot, sometimes with endorsements and sometimes not.
Monday is when we’ll vote on final approval of the city budget, after spending 13.5 hours debating amendments to it last week. You can read down to that portion of the agenda to hear more about how we amended the mayor’s proposed budget so that you’ll see not just “Annapolis works” but “Annapolis works for you.”
Here are the top 3 things you need to know in Annapolis:
The council will confirm a new Director of Finance tomorrow, currently the Deputy Director of Finance.
Legislation is being introduced to reform the Art in Public Places Commission.
Juneteenth Parade and Festival is the Saturday after next.
Updates from Harry
The primary election is June 23rd. If you’re not already signed up as a mail-in voter like me, you can check where to vote in-person at this link. The League of Women Voters has lots of additional information here.
I hesitated to write this column because on the one hand, I’m a believer that if you support a candidate, your job is to do all you can to ensure they’re elected, but on the other I think lots of elected officials would be better off staying out of primary fights, and yet, on my third hand, research shows that voters rely on endorsements from other politicians in determining who best fits their values in primaries. So, this is a mix of sharing with you who I’m voting for and just how I’m thinking about some of these races. Hopefully you find it helpful.
As former Alderman Carl Snowden likes to exhort us to vote, I’ve structured this from the “bottom” of the ballot back up to the “top”. Often, your vote is more impactful in the races that get the least attention.
Democratic Central Committee (4)
This is our portion of the board that manages the Democratic party at the county level. As you likely know, these boards also have the ability to appoint state legislators when there is a vacancy. My feeling is that too many people want to be on these committees so they can have a vote when there’s an appointment, rather than so they can do the nitty gritty work of strengthening the party. The two people who’ve definitely earned my vote because I’ve seen them be do-ers are Henry Snurr, who thanklessly and flawlessly managed the Democratic coordinated campaign in last fall’s local elections, and Briayna Cuffie, who I watched through community-building skills and through sheer force of will reinvigorate the effort to restore Brewer Hill Cemetery here in Ward One; they each have plenty of other qualifications also, but those efforts really impressed me. I can’t say that I know every person running for this, which is why I’m not listing four names yet, but my encouragement to you is to vote for the people who will actually do the work.
Sheriff
Everett Sesker is a forward-thinking professional running unopposed for re-election. I’m happy to support him.
Judge of the Orphan’s Court (3)
Choosing three candidates for this office got a lot easier on Thursday when the state Supreme Court removed one of the four from his current position for misconduct that they called “egregious”. My advice here is simply to not vote for that guy, Marc Knapp, and to vote for the other three. I want to particularly give a shout-out to Annapolis’ own Loni Moyer, who I know to be hard working with a great temperament for this job.
Register of Wills
I’ve actually done a lot of door knocking for this race, and most people don’t know what the Register of Wills does. That’s understandable. If you have heard of the office, it’s probably because the last Register of Wills was removed after personally cashing a resident’s tax check. After that happened, the other members of the courthouse ticket (Sheriff and Clerk) knew they needed to get fresh leadership in this office that helps families when they’re most devastated. They turned to Courtney Buiniskis.
Courtney has been a teacher, a union organizer, an engagement officer for the county executive, and, currently, the legislative aide to our county councilwoman. Importantly, she’s also been a grieving daughter and sister who lost her mom and brother within months of each other and had to sort through the difficult process that came with them not having wills. She’s running for this office because she knows that it’s not enough for it to just function OK; it should actually be a proactive vehicle for people to leave a legacy to their kids. That’s why she’s supported by not just the Sheriff and Clerk but also the County Executive, our current and former mayor, and legislators all over the county.
Just take a look side-by-side at the two candidates’ profiles in Eye on Annapolis, and see the difference for yourself. Register of Wills is an office that you mostly hope you’re not interacting with, but if you do, you’ll be very glad to have Courtney Buiniskis leading it.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
MK Fowler is running unopposed. She has served for the past 7 years as the Chief Deputy to our current clerk, Scott Poyer, who is supporting MK to replace him. Fun fact, she’s also a sailor.
State’s Attorney
If I’m keeping it really real with you all, here’s what I think is going on in this race: I think that the trial lawyers and the police union wanted a Republican State’s Attorney but knew one couldn’t win the general, so they recruited a lifelong Republican to run in the Democratic primary against our current State’s Attorney. Anne Colt Leitess, the incumbent, has aggressively prosecuted everything from government misconduct to the Capital Gazette mass shooter and won. She’s got a history of protecting us—going all the way back to trailblazing the use of DNA evidence in the 90s—and is supported by public safety leaders like Sherriff Sesker and former Annapolis Police Chief Jackson. Her opponent was voting as a Republican less than two years ago; some folks may prefer a Republican as their State’s Attorney, and that’s fine. But I can’t stand candidates who try to trick the voting public. I won’t say that Anne’s record is 100% unimpeachable (nobody bats a thousand), but I’m confident she’s the right choice in this race.
Judge of the Circuit Court (2)
I have very mixed feelings about electing judges. In an ideal world, they would be totally impartial, and there’d be no need for an election for them. But the law is not objective, and people’s background and ideologies shape how they interpret it. Maybe a more aggressive effort is warranted to elect ideological judges to advance particular policy aims from the bench. Judges are appointed by the governor and then go before voters to be elected, at which time challengers can also run. So, the way I think of it is that we as voters should typically trust the executive to pick qualified people and exercise our veto power only if there is something really unacceptable. I’m open to changing my approach to this and would be curious to hear how any of you make up your mind when voting for judges. The judges appointed by Governor Moore are Sydney Butcher and Ginina Jackson-Stevenson, and—seeing no particular scandal or big ideological disagreement—I will most likely vote for them
County Council
This race will have a significant impact on how effective I can be for you. Right now, the Annapolis city council has a great relationship with Lisa Rodvien, our representative on the county council, but that has not always been the case in past. Having someone who’s going to work collaboratively with the city and with our ward is important for everything from ensuring sidewalks are shoveled to keeping down our taxes; someone who constantly attacks city government and wants the county to take over parts of it would make all that much harder.
I’m also looking for someone who has a clear vision for what the Annapolis area can be and who has a track record of delivering solutions. Gavin Buckley ran on “dream, work, deliver”. He is a bold thinker, works harder than almost anyone I know (I’ve seen him regularly put in 16 hour days), and has a track record of tangibly improving the city. I also admire that Gavin is the only council candidate rejecting corporate and big money donations by running using the public financing system; his very strong moral compass is under-rated.
Like I mention in the State’s Attorney section, I really can’t stand candidates not being honest with voters. One candidate recently sent a mailer in which the very first sentence is straightforwardly false, saying she voted on something that she never did. That kind of thing is disqualifying to me, especially when it’s just one example of a larger pattern.
I’ve clashed with Gavin in my time on the council and have articulated examples of his term in office being less than perfect. But the question you should ask is “Which candidate will most make my and my family’s life better four years from now?”. Everyone from our governor to our teachers know that the answer is “Gavin Buckley.”
County Executive
We are really lucky to have three awesome Democratic candidates for County Executive, any one of whom I’d be proud to have represent me. With respect to Mr. Nembhard, I think he’s in a different league than the main three candidates. Among these main three, there is much more on which they agree than disagree.
But that’s why it’s so difficult to choose! Rick Hutzell’s thoughtful piece on the race last week had a headline about picking your candidate in “3 easy steps”. Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t think the steps were easy enough to come to a decision. So, I’m stealing the premise and making it multiple choice.
1. When priorities conflict, which of these do you want the next county executive to choose?
A. The environment
B. Housing affordability
C. Public safety
2. Which pair of endorsements matters most to you?
A. County Executive Pittman and the teachers union
B. Congresswoman Elfreth and the building trades unions
C. Senator Henson and the fire union
3. Which experience do you think is most important to have?
A. County executive’s office and public policy PhD
B. County council and school board
C. County council and Marine Corps
If you answered mostly A, then you probably want to vote for James Kitchin. If you answered mostly B, then you’re likely on team Allison Pickard. And if you chose C most often, then I’m suggesting that Pete Smith is your guy.
Not included in these three questions is James Kitchin’s use of the new public campaign finance system, which is to be commended. It also doesn’t include Pete Smith’s experience with childhood poverty and personal commitment to fighting it. Nor do my three questions take into account that Allison Pickard flipped a red seat blue for the first time in decades, largely by how hard she worked campaigning. There’s plenty my little questionnaire doesn’t factor in, but I think these three simple questions can get you pretty far in deciding who to support.
Whichever of these three is elected on June 23rd, I’ll be very happy to work with them over the next four years.
House of Delegates (2)
Delegate Dana Jones and Delegate Dylan Behler are running for reelection with a challenger and need your votes.
On the Appropriations Committee, Delegate Jones has brought millions of dollars to the city of Annapolis for everything from new ambulances to the Banneker Douglass Tubman Museum. She also never misses an opportunity to be out in our community.
I’m grateful to call Delegate Behler a friend and someone who I learn from. He’s brilliant when it comes to environmental and affordability issues and has already proven himself as an effective delegate in just the last year and a half.
Don’t leave this one blank!
State Senator
State Senator Shaneka Henson has proven herself as an effective and commonsense champion of the underserved. Although she’s unopposed in the primary, she’ll need our help turning out the vote in what will be a competitive general election.
Representative in Congress
We’re all voting for Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, right? She needs no introduction, but I will say that I’ve been particularly impressed at how many bills she’s gotten introduced and signed into law—even in these crazy first two years of her time in Congress.
Attorney General
Anthony Brown has stood up time and again over the past two years against the Trump administration’s lawlessness and attacks on Maryland. He is running unopposed.
Comptroller
Right as you drive into Annapolis, in front of the Treasury Building is a statue of Louis Goldstein, the comptroller from 1959 through 1998 (You read that right, almost 40 years). He used to brag, I’m told, about taking the Comptroller’s office “from pen and paper to the mainframe”. Brooke Lierman is finally upgrading us from the mainframe. She is not only modernizing the Comptroller’s office but is turning it into a space for thoughtful analysis of our state’s economy, including issues that affect Annapolis, like how housing regulations have held back economic development. That’s why I’m genuinely excited to vote for her, even though she’s running unopposed.
Lieutenant Governor/Governor
Governor Moore has led us boldly forward. In a way that I’m not sure any other leader could have, he brought together key players inside and outside the legislature to turn a $3 billion deficit into a surplus. His administration has made state government more efficient while supporting key priorities like education, the environment, and growing our economy.
I wish sometimes that we saw more actions in line with his excellent rhetoric, especially around the speed of government. But I also recognize that much of the power in Maryland lies with the legislature, which has repeatedly thwarted Governor Moore’s efforts on redistricting, housing affordability, and public transportation. To me, a vote for Wes Moore and Aruna Miller is a vote for their agenda, and I look forward to seeing more of that agenda realized in the next four years.
Whoever you vote for, remember to vote!
This week and every week, I’m grateful for the honor of representing you and our whole community. Never hesitate to contact me at harry@harrymhuntley.com.
City council agenda
Call To Order
Mayor Littmann
Moment of Silence
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Littmann
Roll Call
City Clerk Watkins-Eldridge
Proposed Closed Session
To discuss union negotiations and the hiring of a new Finance Director.
Approval of Agenda
Ceremonial Items
Update from the Mayor
Mayor Littmann
Reports by Committees
Comments by the General Public
Remember, you can come to any city council meeting to tell us about what’s important to you and your neighborhood! Register here or just show up.
Consent Calendar
Business & Miscellaneous
SA-22-26 Planning & Zoning - Capital
This supplemental appropriation documents $683,200 in grant money from the US Department of Transportation and allocates $159,700 in city matching funds (from the Capital Reserve Fund) to develop and demonstrate implementation of a safer streets plan throughout the city.
Ordinance First Readers
O-14-26 Art in Public Places - Amending Definitions, Duties, and Membership
As you may remember, the Art in Public Places Commission has had some troubles over the years, so we voted to temporarily disband it. I’m happy to see legislation coming forward to reform it. I intend to support introducing this legislation, but I do have a few concerns with how it’s currently written. Most importantly, it changes the commission’s role from being the decisionmaker of funds to being advisory with the Planning and Zoning Director making the decision. I have mixed feelings about reducing the size from 9 to 5 members, but if it were to move forward with 5 members, I am very opposed to the idea of allowing non-residents to serve on the Commission. Across our boards and commissions, I’m not a fan of having non-residents making decisions about the city. I may also bring forward an amendment to state in the text how this is following the requirements of state law. I’d definitely love to hear any of your feedback on this.
Resolution First Readers
R-19-26 Finance Director - Karen Ajayi
Karen Ajayi was hired earlier this year as the Deputy Director of the Finance Department. After some months of leading it while the city manager searched for a Finance Director, the conclusion has been made that Ms. Ajayi is the best person for the job. She has impressive experience in both the public and private sectors, and I’ve appreciated her work that I’ve seen, so I intend to support her appointment.
Ordinance Second Readers
O-8-26 Annual Budget and Appropriations and Property Tax Levy
This ordinance constitutes the city budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 2026. It’s what we’ve spent two months as a council learning about and discussing. It’s what we spent the vast majority of our 13.5 hour meeting last Monday on. Overall, I think the council’s changes to the mayor’s proposed budget track what the Finance Committee recommended, which itself was in line with my first impression of the mayor’s proposal: that it was broadly reasonable but that “Annapolis Works” needed to be more visible to Annapolitans; a little less painting the inside of the police station, and a little more keeping Pip Moyer Rec Center open later.
On the capital budget side, we rightsized the timing of fire station upgrades in order to fund more sidewalk and street repairs, traffic safety improvements, and fixes to street-end parks, plus a new flashing pedestrian sign by Westgate Circle. I was skeptical of this next one because of other enhancements in the mayor’s office, but the council did end up providing more resources to the ombudsman, so we can have enhanced customer service. Two of my top three priorities were infrastructure improvements and customer service, and I think we achieved those.
The third priority, which we did not get, was a tax rate cut. I floated an innovative way to reduce staff expenses while preserving services, which could have led to a small decrease in the rate. But it became clear to me that a majority of my colleagues’ preference would have been to spend those funds in other ways—rather than return them to you—and so I dramatically scaled back the pay-for to be just enough so we can prove it works. There were a few other cuts I proposed for spending that did not meet my bar for effectiveness, which mostly did not pass.
Overall, I think this budget funds what we need in a way you’ll see, and it cuts some of what we don’t need in a way you’ll never miss. I’m proud to have led this process and think that the budget we’ll be voting on tomorrow is one that Annapolitans can trust has been scrutinized thoroughly and has been improved to reflect what you voted for in November.
Resolution Second Readers
R-10-26 Annual Fees Schedule
The list of all the City's fees and the corresponding sections of the Code requiring each fee. Fees are a payment for a service (like inspecting a rental), while fines are a punishment for breaking part of the code. One change I championed and am proud of is distinguishing between city residents and non-city residents in the fees for Recreation and Parks. People who don’t pay into our tax base should pay more to cover the cost of these awesome programs!
I also want to touch on utility fees (water, sewer, trash, and stormwater). Water and sewer fees went up a relatively modest 4.75%, which is only what’s necessary to keep these enterprise funds stable as the cost of construction materials (one of these funds’ main expenses) escalates at a rate higher than general inflation. The trash fee goes almost entirely towards our contract with a waste management company. The city just put that contract out for competitive bidding, negotiated with them for a better rate than was proposed, and the fee change reflects that. I know that these fees have a real impact on household budgets, and I keep a close eye on them, because being fiscally responsible means both not increasing them unnecessarily but also not pushing a burden onto future generations.
R-11-26 Annual Fines Schedule
The list of the City's fines and the corresponding sections of the Code. Fines are a punishment for breaking part of the code (like walking around with an open alcohol container), while fees are a payment for a service. One change I championed and am proud of is increasing the fine for operating an unlicensed short-term rental. I still think we need to do a better job scaling STR fees and fines to the revenue that landlords are making so that it’s never profitable to operate unlicensed, but this was a great step forward.
R-12-26 Position Classification and Play Plan
The list of all the City's jobs, their pay rank, and the actual salary for each position. The council did not amend this legislation at all.
R-18-26 Human Resources Director - Charles A. Hall, Jr.
Mr. Hall is set to be our next Director of HR. He comes to us having been the head of HR for all of Washington, DC government. So, I’m pretty sure he’s qualified to do the job for little old Annapolis. i intend to vote for this resolution.
Adjournment
Other news you can use
First Sunday arts festival is going on now until 5.
Have you tried the new Citrus Bros shaved ice truck on the lawn next to Lemongrass? I’m told by a Ward One resident who used to live in Hawaii that it tastes just like they serve on the islands.
Tuesday’s Profs and Pints at the Graduate is about “Facing Fascism”. Sounds relevant.
Saturday June 13th from noon to 10 is Arts Annapolis 2026! It’ll feature everything: glass blowing, tango lessons, a ballet performance, and so much more.
The Planning and Zoning Department is having a Permitting workshop 7 to 8:15 PM on Tuesday, June 16 at Pip Moyer Rec Center. Come by to share your ideas on how we can make it a little easier to maintain and improve your house.
The Carr’s Beach reunion free concert is June 19th from 3 to 7.
Saturday June 20th is the Juneteenth parade starting at noon at St. John’s. The festival will happen at the Bates Athletic Complex, right by Maryland Hall
Remember that June 23rd is the primary election!
Please send me any events or other information you’d like advertised to your neighbors.
Have a great week, everyone!
Harry
PS: After being out of town and focusing on the budget, I’m a little behind on emails. If you sent me a message in the last week or two that hasn’t gotten a reply yet, I’m hoping to get back to you today.