Gansler launches AG bid

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff Photo by Gary Smith Montgomery County State’s Attorney Douglas F. Gansler, left, who launched his bid for attorney general this week, chats with Charles County State’s Attorney Leonard C. Collins Jr. and former U.S. Sen. Joseph D. Tydings outside the Charles County Courthouse, part of a Tuesday morning swing through Southern Maryland. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

One week after incumbent Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. announced he would not seek a sixth term, Gansler (D), 43, unveiled a four-point platform to strengthen public safety, combat Internet-based crimes, enforce stiff penalties on Chesapeake Bay polluters and enhance consumer protections.

‘‘I want to be the attorney general for the Chesapeake Bay,” he told about three dozen St. Mary’s County Democrats over eggs and bacon at Linda’s Cafe in Leonardtown.

The state’s most important waterway is at a ‘‘tipping point,” and pollution controls need to be enforced to preserve the bay, Gansler said.

While Democrats thought to be interested in running for attorney general waited for Curran’s decision, Gansler has amassed a war chest of almost $1.5 million, according to January campaign finance data — an impressive sum six months before the November general elections.

Montgomery County Councilman Tom Perez, whose eligibility for attorney general has been recently challenged, is expected to announce his candidacy next week, and state Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Montgomery), a lawyer and chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, is weighing a bid.

Frederick County State’s Attorney Scott L. Rolle (R) joined the race last week and is hoping to become the first GOP attorney general since 1954.

Gansler, serving his second term as Montgomery County’s chief prosecutor, told the St. Mary’s breakfast crowd, which included many local Democratic elected officials, that he will seek to eradicate gangs and prosecute those who use the Internet to commit crimes.

He also pledged to go after those who have ‘‘sapped the strength of the Chesapeake Bay” by polluting its waters.

Later Tuesday, Gansler picked up endorsements from Calvert County State’s Attorney E. Gregory Wells and Charles County State’s Attorney Leonard C. Collins Jr., both Democrats.

‘‘I think he will bring a high energy level to the attorney general’s office, and he already has the experience of running a very large office in Montgomery County, so I think he’ll bring a combination of competence, energy and dedication,” Collins said.

Gansler’s prosecutorial experience at the federal and local levels would bring a dual perspective to the state post, Collins added.

In announcing his bid Monday steps from the Rockville courthouse where John Allen Muhammed is on trial for his alleged involvement in the 2002 Washington-area sniper shootings, Gansler defended his decision to go after Muhammed — who received the death penalty in Virginia — calling it a ‘‘no-brainer.”

‘‘If someone comes into your county and kills six people, you have to prosecute the case,” he said.

Local Democrats gave Gansler high marks for his experience and aggressive prosecution of criminals.

‘‘Doug is young, aggressive, smart and I think he can have a lot of appeal around the state,” said Del. John L. Bohanan Jr. (D-St. Mary’s), who declined to make an endorsement. ‘‘I’d rather see somebody making mistakes for being too aggressive than being nonchalant and missing the boat.”

Former state senator J. Frank Raley said Gansler possesses a youthful vigor that makes him an attractive candidate. It also doesn’t hurt that Gansler has local ties: His father, former Under Secretary of Defense Jacques S. Gansler, lives in Medley’s Neck, just south of Leonardtown.

‘‘When I come here, I feel like it’s my second home,” Gansler said, adding later that the personal connection will enable him to relate to voters. ‘‘... People want to know that you understand the particular issues in a county and the culture of that county.”

Gansler is also receiving campaign help from former U.S. senator Joseph D. Tydings, a former federal prosecutor who called Gansler the most qualified attorney general candidate in a generation.

Staff writer Douglas Tallman contributed to this report.

E-mail Alan Brody at abrody@somdnews.com.