Former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler speaks with Congressman Elijah Cummings at the annual Goldstein Dinner in Chesapeake Beach.
Chesapeake Beach, MD – “There’s a whole lot of craziness going on out there,” declared Congressman Chris Van Hollen, the current representative of Maryland’s Eighth Congressional District. Van Hollen, who is hoping to win election to the U.S. Senate, was referring to the ongoing race for the White House. He was one of several speakers trying to charge up fellow Democrats at the 18th annual Louis L. Goldstein Dinner. The event was held Thursday, March 10 at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach.
Van Hollen shared the spotlight at the partisan gathering with two of his colleagues—Fourth District Representative Donna F. Edwards and Congressman Elijah Cummings of the Seventh District. Edwards and Van Hollen are the frontrunners in a tight race for the Senate seat currently occupied by the retiring Barbara A. Mikulski.
During his brief remarks, Van Hollen praised Cummings for his role as the ranking member on the House Select Committee on Benghazi. Van Hollen commended Cummings for taking on the committee’s Republicans and “their Benghazi lies.”
Edwards drew applause from the audience—comprised largely of Southern Maryland Democrats—when she mentioned that she came to Maryland when he father was transferred to Andrews Air Force Base and attended Thomas Stone High School in Charles County.
“We share values that respect families, hard work and organized labor,” said Edwards. “All of us basically want the same thing.”
Once again, the Goldstein Dinner included a strong presence by members of labor unions. Maryland Democratic Party Chairman D. Bruce Poole told the members in the audience that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, favors “Right to Work” legislation in Annapolis, prompting a smattering of boos. Right to Work measures prohibit agreements between employers and unions that mandate union membership as a requirement for employment. Poole said the legislation is designed to bust unions. “Republicans want you dead,” he told the union members.
Poole, who resides in rural Washington County, observed that the GOP has made tremendous gains in rural Maryland, despite the state remaining a Democratic stronghold overall. Opining that Democrats, such as Goldstein, helped make Maryland prosperous, Poole stated “the Republicans in rural Maryland want to say ‘now that we got prosperity we need to vote Republican.’ ”
Cummings was one of two recipients of the Louis L. Goldstein Award. Calvert County native and former Maryland Department of Agriculture secretary Hagner R. Mister also received the award. Recalling the legendary politician, Mister said Goldstein always remembered the people he met while he was an office-holder. To Goldstein, “every day was Election Day.” Noting in 2016 “we’re going to have a tough election,” Mister said it was important for local Democrats like himself to vote and persuade other to cast ballots in the April primary. “Between now and April 26 I’m going to be busy,” said Mister.
Of Democrats, Cummings said, “we take our pain, turn it into a passion to do our purpose.”
Of the current GOP Presidential frontrunner, Cummings stated, “Donald Trump is a dangerous man.” The veteran congressman said Trump is always saying disparaging things about groups, such as Hispanics and women.
Cummings, who had reportedly been mulling the possibility in joining Van Hollen and Edwards in the quest for the U.S. Senate, has been rumored as a possible vice presidential candidate in 2016.
Other local award recipients were retired Navy specialist and Owings resident Carl Golie, and retired teacher and Prince Frederick resident Harriet Gossett; who received the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee’s (CCDCC) Dan Pike Volunteer of the Year Award. The Rev. Robert Hahn, senior pastor of Chesapeake Church, who received the committee’s Community Service Award.
Later, Poole told The BayNet he believes the U.S. Senate race in Maryland has the potential to bring Democrats out to the polls in April. As to whether the GOP gets any benefit out of Maryland’s popular Republican governor, Poole observed Hogan is presently on record as saying he is “completely disgusted with national politics.” Poole conceded that situation could eventually change.
Other speakers at the March 10 event included Maryland Senate President Mike Miller, Delegate Michael Jackson, State Attorney General Brian Frosh, former Maryland Agriculture secretary and Calvert native Earl “Buddy” Hance and CCDCC Chairman Greg Brown.
The Colors of the Flag were presented by Boy Scout Troop #429, the Pledge to the Flag was led by Eagle Scout Justin Bynum, the Star Spangled Banner was sung by Andre Jones and the benediction offered by the Rev. Dante King.
Also recognized during the event were Calvert County’s current Teacher of the Year Rob James of Huntingtown High School and members of the Northern High School Democratic Club.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
