Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON (WMAL) – Democrats in Montgomery County have a whopping 33 candidates to choose from in the primary for four at-large county council seats.
Maryland Matters editor Josh Kurtz believes there are two reasons that so many Democrats are running for the seats. First, he said three of the four incumbents can’t run for re-election because of term limits. Second, candidates now have the option of getting public financing to help pay for their campaigns if they meet certain requirements.
With so many candidates to choose from, Kurtz thinks many voters will feel overwhelmed, and that could lead to some interesting results.
“In a race like this crazy, quirky things can make a difference,” Kurtz said.
Names are listed alphabetically on the ballot, and Kurtz said candidates whose names start with A and B stand a better chance of winning than those whose names start with letters at the end of the alphabet.
Kurtz also believes minority candidates could fare better than others.
“In a county as diverse as Montgomery that could really…that could really make a difference and that could really carry someone to victory,” Kurtz said.
Residents can vote for four candidates.
The primary’s June 26.
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