AG candidate Simms lacks money but racks up endorsements

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff Photo by Gary Smith Stuart O. Simms talks at theWaldorfHampton Inn on Monday. Among supporters for his Democratic candidacy for Marylandattorney general are Del. Sue Kullen, left, U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer and Del. John Bohanan. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

The former Baltimore city state’s attorney secured on Monday the blessing of more than a dozen Southern Maryland elected officials and Democratic candidates, which could be critical to a campaign that is strapped for cash and unlikely to spend money on a large-scale media operation.

Campaign finance records released last week showed Simms’ rivals, Montgomery County State’s Attorney Douglas F. Gansler and Montgomery County Councilman Thomas E. Perez, having $1.4 million and $335,000 on hand, respectively.

But while Simms lacks in finances — he has only $65,000 to spend — the one-time lieutenant governor candidate has ample support, particularly in Southern Maryland.

Many of the state’s Democratic power brokers, including U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., have endorsed Simms — evidence, they say, of him being the most qualified candidate vying to succeed longtime Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. (D).

‘‘Stuart Simms is in a class by himself,” said Hoyer (D-Md., 5th), who asserted that the support from elected officials carries more influence than the television ads Simms’ opponents are likely to air.

Supporters downplayed the significance of Simms’ financial deficit and highlighted a resume that includes stints as state juvenile justice secretary and corrections chief under former governor Parris N. Glendening (D).

‘‘Stuart Simms has experience that money can’t buy, and once the people understand that, they’re going to support him,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn F. Ivey (D), who attended the news conference in Waldorf.

Supporters are banking that Simms, an African-American, will perform well in the Democratic bastion of Prince George’s County, although two top leaders, County Executive Jack Johnson (D) and U.S. Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md., 4th), recently announced their support for Gansler. Many of the county’s other sitting officials have rallied behind Simms.

‘‘He’s going to have our unequivocal support,” said Miller (D-Prince George’s, Calvert), who has questioned the campaign’s strategy under Larry Gibson, a veteran Baltimore political operative who was behind former Baltimore mayor Kurt L. Schmoke’s victories.

Earlier this month, several top Simms aides resigned after the campaign had difficulty meeting payroll amid questions of Gibson’s management style, which saw him pour thousands of dollars into campaign fliers, road signs and bumper stickers.

Gibson defended the campaign strategy on Monday and said the candidate that spends the most money doesn’t necessarily win the election.

‘‘We are more than making up for the financial deficit with Stu’s clearly superior qualifications and the hard work of an army of volunteers,” he said.

Experience has been a recurring theme for Simms since entering the attorney general’s race on June 29, one week after Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan abruptly abandoned his gubernatorial bid to seek treatment for clinical depression. Duncan (D), who picked Simms to join his ticket several weeks earlier, rejoined his former running mate Friday on the campaign trail. It was one of his first public appearances since withdrawing from the governor’s race and his first time — but probably not last — stumping for Simms.

‘‘He can have as much presence as he wants,” said Simms, who understands the impact that Duncan would have in peeling away votes from Gansler and Perez in their home county. ‘‘... We both recognize that he’s a great asset. People still respect him as their leader and their county executive.”

Standing before a group of public officials, Simms gave little insight on his platform and touted his experience and commitment to the campaign.

‘‘I would run barefoot across Southern Maryland if I thought it would get people to vote for me,” he said.

Simms brushed off concerns that the lack of funds would stymie his candidacy, saying he was ‘‘delighted” with the total that has ‘‘exceeded where I thought we could be.”

With the primary election less than three weeks away, supporters believe Simms can overcome the money woes.

‘‘If you’re the right candidate, people ... will get behind that,” said Del. Sue Kullen (D-Calvert).

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