McDevitt weighs bid for state's attorney

Friday, March 12, 2010

Kevin J. McDevitt said this week that he hasn't decided if he'll enter this year's race for St. Mary's state's attorney, but he has picked up political candidacy paperwork at the local elections office.

The only filed candidate thus far to unseat Republican incumbent State's Attorney Richard D. Fritz is John A. Mattingly Jr.

Mattingly's bid in the Democratic primary continues as he faces trial this spring on indictments charging him with theft, forgery and attempted witness-tampering offenses.

Fritz said Thursday that he will file for a fourth term, "probably next week, sometime soon."

McDevitt, a 34-year-old trial lawyer living in Hollywood, acknowledged Thursday only that he has picked up the paperwork to be a political candidate.

"I will confirm that," he said. "If I decide to [run], I'll let you know."

McDevitt said he is registered in St. Mary's as a Republican voter.

Mattingly said McDevitt's entry in the race would be welcome.

"I think it's great," Mattingly said. "In the past, we've had very limited choices [in that election], especially for Republican voters."

JOHN WHARTON