Campbell, Frosh offer new ideas, energy

COMPTROLLER

William Campbell is challenging two-term Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot in 2014. We support him in this effort.

The comptroller, in addition to tax-collection duties and fiscal management, is a member of the Maryland Board of Public Works and as such, has a unique and important role to play in state funding priorities.

Campbell lacks the name recognition of Franchot, the incumbent, but his qualifications for office are impressive. During the past 30 years, he has worked in the finance area with such diverse entities as the U.S. Coast Guard and Amtrack. He’s open to new ideas and willing to look beyond the way things have always been done in Maryland to improve the tax collection process and ensure fairness for all state residents. Campbell said he is willing to look at virtually every aspect of state finance, with an eye toward adjusting priorities and increasing fairness to everyone.

Franchot, on the other hand, has served eight years in the comptroller’s office. During that time, Maryland, along with the rest of the country, experienced a severe recession and lethargic recovery.

Franchot has done a good job with constituent service, but failed to offer new ideas to help turn the state’s economy around or better manage resources.

For this reason, we endorse Campbell for comptroller, with the expectation that his extensive experience and fresh ideas will expedite Maryland’s economic recovery.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

With no incumbent in the Maryland attorney general race, Sen. Brian Frosh is running against Jeffrey Pritzker for the office.

The two candidates seeking to become Maryland’s next attorney general are strikingly different — on gun control, on priorities for the office, on taxation issues and school safety, among others. We support Frosh’s effort to serve as Maryland’s attorney general.

Frosh is a sharp attorney who is, because of his service in the General Assembly since 1986 as well as his legal profession, well-versed in Maryland law and government. His intense interest in consumer and environmental protections are needed as our state continues to struggle in its economic recovery.

We appreciate Frosh’s interest in helping state government become more responsive to businesses that have questions or need help with some aspect of the law. Frosh is comfortable and experienced in public office. He demonstrated a thoughtful demeanor, energy, enthusiasm and knowledge base.

For those reasons, we endorse Frosh for attorney general.

ENDORSEMENTS

The Daily Times Editorial Board endorses William Campbell for state comptroller and Brian Frosh for state’s attorney.