SHOWELL– Top Eastern Shore Democrats met with donors on Saturday, Aug. 9, to pay tribute to Maryland Del. Norm Conway (38B) in what could be a preview of the party’s strategy during the November general election.
Maryland State Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38) emceed the event at Showell Park, which included several members of the “team” of Democratic candidates running for election in Worcester and Wicomico counties. A number of speakers during the event also highlighted the voting bloc of Mathias and Conway.
Redistricted to Wicomico County from Worcester this year, Conway formerly represented Somerset County before becoming a similar victim of redistricting in 2000. Mathias insisted that Conway would remain loyal to his Worcester County constituents, and highlighted their partnership in the general assembly. Conway is chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
“Chairman Conway has continued to be there for Somerset, and he will continue to be there for us in Worcester, and we’re going to be with him in Wicomico,” he said. “For the first time, really, in me, he has a partner in the Maryland Senate. Our team is at work in Annapolis and our team is at work here on the Eastern Shore.”
Mark L. Bowen, chair of the Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee, spoke about his time working with Conway in the public school system.
“We have a friend that we can pick up the phone and we can talk to,” he said. “We have a friend that has made friends in Annapolis, and because he has worked across the aisles and across the street and working in the Senate, for the first time in a long time we have a one-two punch partnership that has a good reputation and a great name. As a result of that every time monetary things come out around the state the Eastern Shore and the Lower Shore gets our fair share. And I’m telling you right now – if it weren’t for these people here – that would not be the case.”
Bowen called his Republican opposition “scary.”
“I won’t mention names – (Mike) McDermott – but we have some scary people,” he said. “If you enjoy the life that you’re living now first of all say ‘thank you’ to these folks, but then return the favor. Get out, get the vote out and make sure Democrats get to the polls and vote the entire ticket.”
Mike Pretl, president of Wicomico County Democratic Club, said the entire Eastern Shore has prospered because of Conway.
“We all know that (Conway) represents the Lower Shore,” he said. “Norm is, of all the people in the legislature, the least conscious of those lines between counties and the lines between Democrats and Republicans.
“It’s incredible the way that Norm not only brings home the bacon, but he brings home more than our share of the bacon,” Pretl continued. “Everyone here realizes that and everyone here is grateful for that. We obviously will be working very close with you all to reelect Jim, to reelect Norm and to get rid of Andy Harris if we can.”
Worcester County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Howard Sribnick announced that the new Democratic headquarters in Berlin on 123 North Main Street plans to highlight a new Democratic candidate every day of the week after Labor Day.
“What makes Norm Conway so special to me and to all of us is that he cares about the people he represents,” Sribnick said. “He’s not in politics to become wealthy; he’s not in politics to advance some abstract pro-government or antigovernment agenda – he’s here because he cares about people, and that’s what makes him so special.”
Worcester County Commissioner Virgil Shockley also spoke about the importance of returning Conway and Mathias to office.
“We cannot afford to lose the team that we have here,” he said. “It’s a very good team. They work together and they get things done for us.”
Lanny Hickman, treasurer of the Worcester Country Democratic Central Committee, presented Conway’s wife Jan with a bouquet of flowers, and gave Conway a commemorative plaque.
“We have felt so much a part of the family,” Jan said. “You’ve always made us feel so welcome, you’ve made us feel a part of everything you’ve done and it’s been a joy to be with you.”
“I have always appreciated and felt great about the support that I’ve gotten in Worcester County,” Conway said. “You folks have worked very, very hard for me and for the Democratic team, and I will tell you that that working hard for us has made the difference.”
Conway said his former students, now grown adults, frequently recognize him.
“Wherever we go somebody will recognize us and say ‘thank you for what you did to help me,’” he said. “That’s the great part about being an educator. You get to do that in politics too.”
He highlighted his partnerships with others, including the late Del. Bennett Bozman.
“I never wanted to tear down a bridge because you never know when you have to come back across it,” he said. “I honestly feel that I can work with any delegation in the House or the Senate.
“Of course, if you don’t have a partner from your own district in the Senate you’ve got problems,” Conway continued. “And Jim has been a real partner. He’s been a great support. We have been able to do a lot of good things, not only for Maryland’s Eastern Shore, but for Maryland, and we really have become a one-Maryland concept team.”
Conway said there could be as many as 47 vacancies in the Maryland House, and as many as nine vacancies in his appropriations committee.
“I need your help,” he said. “I know we’re in Worcester, but I know you have friends in Wicomico too. Tell them. It’s important that Jim and I go back. Work as hard as you can to get that vote out – that is going to be the critical factor that we’re going to face on Nov. 4.”
Maryland State Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38) emceed the event at Showell Park, which included several members of the “team” of Democratic candidates running for election in Worcester and Wicomico counties. A number of speakers during the event also highlighted the voting bloc of Mathias and Conway.
Redistricted to Wicomico County from Worcester this year, Conway formerly represented Somerset County before becoming a similar victim of redistricting in 2000. Mathias insisted that Conway would remain loyal to his Worcester County constituents, and highlighted their partnership in the general assembly. Conway is chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
“Chairman Conway has continued to be there for Somerset, and he will continue to be there for us in Worcester, and we’re going to be with him in Wicomico,” he said. “For the first time, really, in me, he has a partner in the Maryland Senate. Our team is at work in Annapolis and our team is at work here on the Eastern Shore.”
Mark L. Bowen, chair of the Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee, spoke about his time working with Conway in the public school system.
“We have a friend that we can pick up the phone and we can talk to,” he said. “We have a friend that has made friends in Annapolis, and because he has worked across the aisles and across the street and working in the Senate, for the first time in a long time we have a one-two punch partnership that has a good reputation and a great name. As a result of that every time monetary things come out around the state the Eastern Shore and the Lower Shore gets our fair share. And I’m telling you right now – if it weren’t for these people here – that would not be the case.”
Bowen called his Republican opposition “scary.”
“I won’t mention names – (Mike) McDermott – but we have some scary people,” he said. “If you enjoy the life that you’re living now first of all say ‘thank you’ to these folks, but then return the favor. Get out, get the vote out and make sure Democrats get to the polls and vote the entire ticket.”
Mike Pretl, president of Wicomico County Democratic Club, said the entire Eastern Shore has prospered because of Conway.
“We all know that (Conway) represents the Lower Shore,” he said. “Norm is, of all the people in the legislature, the least conscious of those lines between counties and the lines between Democrats and Republicans.
“It’s incredible the way that Norm not only brings home the bacon, but he brings home more than our share of the bacon,” Pretl continued. “Everyone here realizes that and everyone here is grateful for that. We obviously will be working very close with you all to reelect Jim, to reelect Norm and to get rid of Andy Harris if we can.”
Worcester County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Howard Sribnick announced that the new Democratic headquarters in Berlin on 123 North Main Street plans to highlight a new Democratic candidate every day of the week after Labor Day.
“What makes Norm Conway so special to me and to all of us is that he cares about the people he represents,” Sribnick said. “He’s not in politics to become wealthy; he’s not in politics to advance some abstract pro-government or antigovernment agenda – he’s here because he cares about people, and that’s what makes him so special.”
Worcester County Commissioner Virgil Shockley also spoke about the importance of returning Conway and Mathias to office.
“We cannot afford to lose the team that we have here,” he said. “It’s a very good team. They work together and they get things done for us.”
Lanny Hickman, treasurer of the Worcester Country Democratic Central Committee, presented Conway’s wife Jan with a bouquet of flowers, and gave Conway a commemorative plaque.
“We have felt so much a part of the family,” Jan said. “You’ve always made us feel so welcome, you’ve made us feel a part of everything you’ve done and it’s been a joy to be with you.”
“I have always appreciated and felt great about the support that I’ve gotten in Worcester County,” Conway said. “You folks have worked very, very hard for me and for the Democratic team, and I will tell you that that working hard for us has made the difference.”
Conway said his former students, now grown adults, frequently recognize him.
“Wherever we go somebody will recognize us and say ‘thank you for what you did to help me,’” he said. “That’s the great part about being an educator. You get to do that in politics too.”
He highlighted his partnerships with others, including the late Del. Bennett Bozman.
“I never wanted to tear down a bridge because you never know when you have to come back across it,” he said. “I honestly feel that I can work with any delegation in the House or the Senate.
“Of course, if you don’t have a partner from your own district in the Senate you’ve got problems,” Conway continued. “And Jim has been a real partner. He’s been a great support. We have been able to do a lot of good things, not only for Maryland’s Eastern Shore, but for Maryland, and we really have become a one-Maryland concept team.”
Conway said there could be as many as 47 vacancies in the Maryland House, and as many as nine vacancies in his appropriations committee.
“I need your help,” he said. “I know we’re in Worcester, but I know you have friends in Wicomico too. Tell them. It’s important that Jim and I go back. Work as hard as you can to get that vote out – that is going to be the critical factor that we’re going to face on Nov. 4.”