Peter Perini wracks up big-name Democratic endorsements

Peter E. Perini, Sr., a Democrat running for state delegate in Hagerstown’s District 2B, announced four high-profile Maryland Democratic endorsements within the last week.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin J. O’Malley (D), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and outgoing Rep. John K. Delaney (D-Md.) are throwing their support behind Perini’s bid to recapture District 2B from Republican control.

Perini announced the four endorsements on his campaign Facebook page.

Endorsing Perini, Delaney, who announced last year that he is running for president in 2020, said this:

“I am pleased to endorse Peter Perini for the Maryland House of Delegates. Peter has been a true leader in Hagerstown and will make a great Delegate. I encourage everyone who supports me to in turn support Peter.”

Perini was vice-chairman of the Washington County Democratic Central Committee during the 2018 election.

He is the owner of Perini Landmark Development Corporation.

Perini’s political history 

Perini was the Democratic nominee in 2002 in Washington County’s old District 2A.

The district boundaries have since been redrawn.

Perini was also a candidate for the Washington County Board of Education in 2014 but was defeated in the November general election.

A longtime Democratic activist and organizer, Perini has been involved in several Democratic campaigns over the last thirty years. Perini backed former Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) in the 2014 Democratic gubernatorial primary. He currently backs businessman David J. Trone in the 6th Congressional District Democratic primary.

Perini released the following statement to A Miner Detail in January shortly after he filed his candidacy paperwork:

“It has been a pleasure to live in Hagerstown throughout my lifetime,” Perini said.

“I take pride in this community, its rich history, and the promise of its bright future. And it is with great excitement that I am running for Maryland House of Delegates District 2B. I am confident that my knowledge and experience working for the betterment of this community paired with my vision for and commitment to a strong future will be an asset to Hagerstown. I will work hard in the coming months to gain the confidence of voters.”

Donoghue defeated after 24 years

Republican Brett R. Wilson, now a Washington County Associate Circuit Court Judge, defeated longtime incumbent John P. Donoghue (D) by 614 votes in the 2014 general election.

Donoghue represented the Hagerstown district for 24 years.

In 2017, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) nominated Wilson to fill a judicial vacancy on the Washington County Circuit Court.

Washington County’s Republican Central Committee tapped Republican Paul D. Corderman, a Hagerstown City councilman at the time, to fill the remainder of Wilson’s term.

Corderman filed his District 2B candidacy paperwork shortly after he was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on Dec. 20, 2017.

After filing, Corderman released a short statement, saying that he “chose to file for candidacy on the same day he was sworn in as Delegate to demonstrate to the community his commitment to the citizens of Hagerstown goes beyond just the near future and 2018.”

District 2B is one of many legislative districts Maryland Democrats are targeting this election cycle. Maryland Democrats and Republicans alike are expected to spend significant resources to recapture and retain the district. Perini and Corderman are unopposed in their respective primaries. The two men will face off against one another in the November general election.

According to Ballotpedia.org, as of the 2010 census, “a total of 40,661 civilians reside within Maryland’s state house district 2B. Maryland state delegates represent an average of 40,947 residents.” 

Maryland’s primary is set for June 26.

The November election will be held on Nov. 6.