Maryland Delegate Mike Smigiel said he has put his name in for the nomination to replace Senator E.J. Pipkin, who will resign on August 12 after serving 11 years in the Maryland Senate — with two years as Minority Leader.
Pipkin announced Monday he would resign to earn a masters degree in sports management at Southern Methodist University in Texas.
Currently serving his third term in the legislature, Smiegel is now the longest serving delegate in the 36th District among his colleagues, Del. Jay Jacobs, R-Kent, and Del. Stephen Hershey, R- Queen Anne’s.
“I have great respect for Hershey and Jacobs,” Smigiel, R-Cecil, said in a brief phone interview with the Spy on Tuesday. “They have been very effective leaders in their first terms, but I believe my experience in passing legislation and advocating on the floor in the House makes me the best choice to carry on the fight for the Shore in the Senate.”
Smigiel believes he is the most qualified member of the 36th District because of his history of moving bills in a legislature dominated 2-1 by Democrats. He said he would run for Pipkin’s seat in 2014 whether he gets the nomination or not.
The central committees in Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, and Cecil counties must nominate Pipkin’s replacement within 30 days of his resignation or Gov. Martin O’Malley will get to fill the seat. Party insiders say there is no chance the leaders in the central committees will miss that deadline.
Smigiel said he will miss working with Pipkin.
“E.J has been my best friend for the last 11 years in Annapolis, fighting for the interests of the 36th District and all of the Shore,” Smigiel said. “He has been very successful as a businessman and as legislator, and he will be missed by the party in Annapolis.”
Jacobs said on Tuesday that he has considered putting his name in for the nomination — but wanted to wait until he meets with Hershey and Smigiel on Wednesday evening.
“We all work well together, and collectively, we all get a lot of things done for the District,” Jacobs said by phone. “No matter who gets the nomination, our good working relationship will continue.”
Hershey said that he too was surprised of Pipkin’s resignation and wanted to wait until the three men met on Wednesday before deciding his own future.
“I have received a number of text messages, emails, and phone calls encouraging me to pursue the process to succeed E.J in the Maryland Senate,” Hershey wrote in an email to the Spy on Tuesday. “I am certainly going to think about it and have plans to speak to my colleagues and supporters in the next few days. I think it’s my responsibility to determine the best capacity which I can serve the residents of the 36th District.”
Former Delegate Richard Sossi has also put his name in for the nomination. Sossi lost to Hershey in 2010 by a mere 124 votes after Hershey’s campaign published pictures of Sossi falling asleep during a session in the House. Sossi had served two terms.
Gren Whitman says
With GOPhers such a small minority in the state legislature, these are several large egos competing for what’s essentially a powerless position.
Kent County would fare better if Governor O’Malley would appoint a Democrat to replace Pipkin; at least he, or she, would be listened to by the majority.
Keith Thompson says
If folks in the 36th District feel that the majority in Annapolis is doing harm to the communities here, then your suggestion completely defeats the purpose of having a representative government that at least gives a voice to the minority. The Democratic Party will have the chance to make your argument in the 2014 election.
Gren Whitman says
The 36th Legislative District once elected influential Democrats to the state legislature.
And the district’s voters re-elected them long enough to gain real power and influence in Annapolis.
Ever heard of R. Clayton Mitchell?