Updates From Galen Clagett

Clagett Looks Ahead - Frederick News Post Editorial - August 23, 2011

The Frederick News-Post does not endorse candidates in political contests, and Delegate Galen Clagett is not currently a candidate for public office. However, should he decide to run for comptroller of Maryland in the 2014 gubernatorial election, we think he would make a very credible candidate.

Clagett has said that he doesn't plan to run for re-election to the Maryland House, but has also indicated he may seek the high state office of comptroller. Clagett says that he intends to test the Democratic waters statewide to see how much interest there may be in his candidacy for comptroller.

Clagett has been involved in fiscal matters since being elected to the House in 2003, including serving as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. He is also an independent-minded legislator and has practical business experience heading his own Frederick-based commercial real estate business.

Many Democrats expect current Comptroller Peter Franchot to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in the next election. We also expect that will be the case. Clagett says he believes Franchot has done a good job as comptroller and would not challenge him if he decided to seek re-election to that office, so that decision is central to Clagett's future.

The office of comptroller is an important one in Maryland. The comptroller is the state's chief fiscal officer and also sits on the powerful three-member Board of Public Works along with the governor and state treasurer. This board makes many critical decisions about how much, where, and for what purpose state money will be spent. Having a "local boy" on that board would help ensure that Frederick County is represented and its interests not take a back seat to other jurisdictions.

Clagett, 69, says that he will not formally decide whether to seek the office of comptroller for a couple of years. In the meantime, he will gauge statewide interest in such a candidacy -- and wait for Franchot to announce he is seeking the Governor's Mansion in the next election. Current Gov. Martin O'Malley is ineligible to serve a third consecutive term.

The News-Post will not officially endorse Clagett should he run for comptroller, but we can and do support and encourage him to seek the office. His real-world business knowledge, independent nature and political experience would make him a solid candidate for comptroller.