County Executive Jim Smith is moving to Cockeysville and considering a bid for that state Senate seat in 2010.

The lifelong Reisterstown resident said Thursday that he and his wife, Sandy, have put their six-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom house on the market and have leased a house in Cockeysville.

And Smith said he is considering the 7th District Senate seat, which will be open in the 2010 election, as his next political option.

“I’m looking at a lot of options, and I’m looking at the Senate seat,” Smith said in a phone interview Thursday. “I want to stay involved in public service.”

Smith said he and Sandy have already leased one house in Cockeysville and plan to buy another one after their Reisterstown home of 40 years sells.

The couple plans to move into their new residence in the next few weeks, Smith said.

He said he probably wouldn't make a final decision on the race until after the 2010 General Assembly session.

The 7th District stretches from Cockeysville to Kingsville, Honeygo and Middle River. About one-third of the district is in Harford County.

Republican Sen. Andy Harris has represented the district since 2002. He is giving up the seat to seek a rematch with first-term Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil for the 1st District U.S. House seat.

Smith said he couldn’t pinpoint when he started to consider the 7th District seat.

“I’ve always been interested in public service,” Smith said.

“I have a burning desire to contribute and play a role in the life of the county and the state,” Smith said, adding that running for the Senate seat “would give me the opportunity to contribute.”

In previous interviews since the 2006 election, Smith has said he had no interest in running for the state legislature. Smith said Tuesday he could not recall making that statement, which was reported in 2007 and again in 2008 in stories published by Patuxent Publishing Co., publisher of this Web site.

“The legislative district where I currently live, we have all Democratic incumbent legislators,” Smith said. “There wouldn’t be room for me.”

Smith said he’s considering other public service options but declined to be specific. “I don’t know what will be out there,” he said.

Smith has raised more than $1 million since being elected to his second term as county executive on the idea that he would run for state comptroller against Democratic incumbent Peter Franchot. But Smith pulled out of that race in July, saying he realized he didn’t have a burning desire for the position.

On Thursday, Smith said the comptroller position didn’t allow for the kind of impact he was looking to have.

“They don’t decide policy,” Smith said. “They don’t decide how to get the state on a firm fiscal foundation, but the Senate does. The House does.”

Smith’s entrance into the 7th District race could make things interesting. County Councilman Vincent Gardina, a fellow Democrat who has represented Essex, Middle River, Perry Hall and Kingsville during his five terms on the council, has been raising money that many believe will be spent on the 7th District Senate race.

Two-term Republican Del. J.B. Jennings has already announced his intention to run to succeed Harris.

Former state insurance commissioner and Del. Al Redmer is also expected to enter the race before the end of the year.

The news that Smith might run met with sharp criticism from Jennings.

“It’s carpetbagging,” said Jennings, who has represented the district for two terms. “It’s what people don’t like. It’s what Hillary Clinton did in New York.”

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user comments (6)

user stevewhisler says...

I certainly hope Smith doesn't go to Annapolis. He's created such a financial mess here in Baltimore County ... we don't need more tax and spenders in our State Legislature. Baltimore County's public debt has increased 25% in just five years ... $752M to $942 between 2005 and 2010. Unfortunately Smith and his progressive cronies on the County Council have blessed bond initiatives that will bring our county's public debt to at least $1.36B by 2014. Please keep Jim Smith out of Annapolis ... we've had enough spending down there. Future generations will be paying Towson and Annapolis bills for decades to come!

Posted 4:17 PM, 10.08.09

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user davidmarks1 says...

Community leaders have fought for eight years to build a new high school in northeastern or central Baltimore County. The County Executive has been the roadblock. Every County Councilman and state legislator from this area supports it. I'm sure the parents of schoolchildren in District 7 will have many questions as to why the County Executive thought the current overcrowded conditions in Perry Hall and elsewhere are acceptable.

Posted 9:59 PM, 10.08.09

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user nlowman says...

Jim... you had me until the speed cameras... then you lost me ....

Posted 8:31 AM, 10.10.09

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user stevetowson says...

David... that area has too many Republicans for Smith to concern himself with it.

Posted 10:31 AM, 10.10.09

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user davidmarks1 says...

stevetowson, I understand your point, but if he runs for the State Senate, he can't ignore Republicans in that district. In Perry Hall, I guess we'll hear lots about the Perry Hall library, for which this administration deserves some credit. But the school overcrowding issue is still out there...and the County Executive's approach (building additions instead of a new school) was not the prudent one.

Posted 8:42 AM, 10.11.09

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user markpatro says...

This paper seems to concern itself with and promote the ideas of Republicans as if they are the only people who live in Perry Hall. There are many Democrats and progressive thinkers in Perry Hall who don't always agree with the opinion of the president of the Perry Hal Improvement Association. I for one do believe that over crowding at Perry Hall High school needs to be addressed. After all, it does have the highest student population of all high schools in Baltimore County. Which bring me to another point. Rarely do I see anything in this newspaper about the good work that PFLAG is doing in Baltimore County. Support of the parents of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender students is not a liberal or conservation issue. These issues are human issues. PFLAG holds a monthly meeting each month which addresses these student issues. I am not under the impression that the work PFLAG Baltimore County does for Lesbian and Gay students and their parents was something to be ignored here. PFLAG will be seeking the encouragement of community leaders like David Marks & Jim Smith to realize that PFLAG is a welcome addition to the volunteerism of dedicated Parents and LGBT Allies in Baltimore County.

Posted 8:26 AM, 10.23.09

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