Annapolis Voters Look Beyond Labels
Pollsters would describe me as an independent (unaffiliated) Ward 1 voter who leans Democratic. When I noticed that fellow independent, Tom Krieck, was challenging Harry Huntley, the incumbent Democrat for Ward 1 alderman, I took an interest. Apparently, someone on a local neighborhood app noted that Krieck’s policies seem closely aligned with those of Republican mayoral candidate Bob O’Shea and that Krieck’s yard signs often appear next to O’Shea’s. Krieck responded that he has been a lifelong Democrat.
Five candidates entered the Democratic primary with policies ranging from moderately progressive to policies similar to those espoused by Krieck. Why then did Krieck run as an independent? Does he think folks will vote for him because he calls himself an independent? I think he will find that independents are more concerned with policies than labels.
Huntley works with enthusiasm and energy to advance a positive view of Ward 1. He works to increase affordable housing while protecting our neighborhoods. He works to improve services with fiscal responsibility. He works to reduce partisanship. Krieck’s website focuses on complaints about taxes and spending. By whining about undue influence of tourists, special interests and developers, he implies our current leaders must be incompetent or corrupt. One of his few concrete proposals for reducing expenses is to reduce an authorization of $210,000 for grants to replace noisy and air-polluting lawn care equipment with electric equipment.
My vote will be for the energetic candidate with a positive vision for the future without regard to labels.