Annapolis Ward 1 race gets crowded with five competitors

At least five candidates have filed for the Ward 1 seat in Annapolis, a hotly contested district encompassing historic downtown Annapolis.

Monday was the deadline to file for candidacy. Democrats Harry Huntley, Ron Gunzburger and Ben Bramsen have had their campaigns certified, and Democrat Katie McDermott and independent Tom Krieck have filed and are awaiting certification. No Republicans have entered the race yet, but one could be appointed by the Annapolis Republican Central Committee.

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Huntley comes into this election as an incumbent, after being appointed by the Annapolis Democratic Central Committee in September following former Alderwoman Elly Tierney’s retirement. Among a field of five candidates, including Gunzburger and Krieck, Huntley’s September appointment was backed by six council members and Mayor Gavin Buckley.

Huntley said he was “reluctant” to step into the job last year, initially helping Tierney search for other candidates. Ultimately, he said the other candidates did not have the experience or policy positions he thought were necessary, so he stepped up.

Huntley said he is focused on improvements to Annapolis, as opposed to criticizing existing projects — namely, City Dock, which has drawn criticism from Gunzburger, McDermott and Krieck for being too costly.

“I think there’s a lot of candidates who don’t like the idea of change, and not liking change is a very powerful motivator,” Huntley said. “Now, me, I’m here for making change for the better.”

Gunzburger filed in August 2024 to both finish Tierney’s term and run for election in 2025. Having lost the Democratic committee’s appointment to Huntley last year […]

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Bramsen sells himself as an “ordinary guy” focused on affordable living in Annapolis. He wants to better support the city’s unhoused population and decrease rent prices.

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Source: https://www.capitalgazette.com/2025/07/29/annapolis-ward-1-five-competitors/