Well, one of the county's least known secrets is out. He announced it and it's news, so of course Lindsey McPherson reported it, but this has been known for some time.
Allan Kittleman, if he gets the resources, which means 18 boxtops from Post Toasties and a aerial photo of Winnipeg, will run for County Executive in 2014. Read more about it here.
It is the habit of underdog Republicans to announce their intentions early so they get out there and start campaigning. And I expect Allan Kittleman to be a tenacious, door-to-door campaigner throughout Howard County, which is more amenable to such techniques as one may think.
Personally, I think Allan Kittleman would represent the Republicans' best hope for Governor. But, with his support for marriage equality, that was not about to happen.
That stuff plays well in Howard County. However, I think his best hope of winning the Executive's seat is to hope that Guy Guzzone and Courtney Watson knock the hell each other out of the primary, and the Democratic primary loser and his/her supporters break off and support Kittleman. And even then, I think he only wins by a few percentage points.
Speaking of percentage points, I'd love to see the sample demographics of the poll he conducted that supposedly had him winning by 20 points. Who did the poll, Quixote and Associates? Seriously, I will wager that poll is slanted heavily in favor of Republicans and Independents, and away from Columbia and other Democratic-leaning areas.
This is a uphill battle to be sure, but, with the election of Chuck Ecker in 1990, the GOP has the ability to catch lightning in a bottle. We'll see if it can strike another time.
Just one comment on winnability. While the myth is that Howard County is a deep blue county, it really isn't. First, Democratic registration is less that 50%. I believe it is about 42%. This means that by the numbers alone, a Republican victory is possible. Howard County has done it before, gone red county-wide, and can do it again with the right candidate and the right message, and with a whole lot of hard work. Allan Kittleman is capable of pulling this off!
Posted by: wildelakemike | June 30, 2012 at 03:23 AM
A correction needs to be made to my earlier post. Democratic registration is closer to 48%. Regardless, in local politics, the race can be more about the individual and what that individual stands for than the party. That fact has been proven in Howard County repeatedly over the years. See 1990, 1994 and 2002, among others.
Posted by: wildelakemike | June 30, 2012 at 03:45 AM
Mike, I agree that a Republican victory is possible. I just don't see it likely. Two reasons why. One, while Allan excels in the ground game, so do either of his most likely Democratic opponents. Both Guy Guzzone and Courtney Watson run well-organized, thorough campaigns.
Second, I think Independents will play a key role in determining the next County Executive. Allan's probably got to win them 60-40, at least, to have a shot to win. I don't see that happening. I think he's got a better chance than either of the two GOP candidates before him however.
Posted by: Marshmallow Man | June 30, 2012 at 02:23 PM
A job well done? Or pablum for the masses? Trees are good. We need public transportation. We should study healthcare needs. Diversity of housing is important... Is that a plan or a credo? I suggest the latter. It's a great credo. Now... where's the plan?
Posted by: Onitsuka Tiger | June 30, 2012 at 09:16 PM
The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can‘t have them.
Posted by: Tods Shoes | July 16, 2012 at 09:17 PM