A Senate endorsement closer to home

I think it’s her position as the second-ranking Republican in the Maryland House of Delegates that explains this big deal.

“Dan Bongino is an excellent example of the next generation of leaders who understand that the ways of the past will not lead us to a better future,” said Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio. “Electing Dan Bongino to the U.S. Senate is paramount to changing the mindset and culture in Washington.”

In kind, Bongino responded:

“I am honored by the Minority Whip’s endorsement. Delegate Haddaway-Riccio represents a new generation of leaders in our state who refuse to allow Maryland to fall to the wayside, while the powerful establishment serves the needs of special interests over the needs of the people,” said Bongino. “Jeannie and I firmly believe that the future for Maryland lies in the hands of those willing to change the way the federal and state governments operate and respond to the very people it serves.”

And in case you forgot:

Serving since 2003, Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio began her career as one of the youngest members of the Maryland House of Delegates and now serves as its Minority Whip. As a small business owner and Eastern Shore native, Jeannie works hard for her constituents, focusing on the economy, education, and the environment. Her and her husband, Joseph, reside in Talbot County with their dog Max.

I remember when it was just Jeannie Haddaway…

Setting aside the endorsement for the moment, does anyone else sense that bigger things are awaiting Jeannie in 2014? I found it interesting that she gave the GOP response to Governor O’Malley’s State of the State address last year as opposed to many other longtime party leaders. Perhaps she’s being portrayed as the softer side of the Maryland Republican Party since her voting record is pretty much middle-of-the-pack between conservative and moderate.

It’s also worthy of noting that Bongino and Haddaway-Riccio are fairly contemporary in terms of age – Bongino is 37 and Jeannie will turn 35 later this year. But eight years into a career in the House of Delegates, Haddaway-Riccio definitely has the experience required to make a change if she desires to.

As is usually the case with endorsements, they’re sort of like trophies on the wall – nice to look at but not much in the way of usefulness. However, if Bongino picks up a percent or two in the 37th District that could be helpful in both April and November. If I were to make a prediction right now, I would expect the Senate primary to be a repeat of the 2010 version, which saw the winner come in with less than 40 percent of the vote – only the names have been changed for some of the participants.