Peter V. R. Franchot (D) announced earlier this month that he will not seek a fifth term in 2022 as the state’s comptroller.
He’s running for governor instead.
The Democratic primary to replace Franchot as Maryland’s chief tax collector and alcohol and tobacco regulator is already taking form.
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, State Sen. Brian J. Feldman, a Democrat representing Montgomery County’s District 15, in a joint interview with Sen. Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore) told A Miner Detail Podcast host Ryan Miner that he’s mulling a comptroller run for comptroller come 2022.
Feldman, the vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, revealed little about his plans for higher office but nonetheless plugged his credentials as a former Department of Justice tax attorney and certified public accountant, the only state legislator in the country, Feldman said he’s told, with such a background.
“I feel like if were to consider doing it, my credentials are there – but I’m nowhere near making that final call,” he said.
Asked pointedly if he is thinking about running for comptroller, Feldman said he is “thinking about it.”
Feldman’s remarks on a potential comptroller bid begin at 44:00.
Feldman, 58, was first elected to Maryland House of Delegates in 2002. He was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. He was appointed to the Senate in Sept. 2013 to fill the District 15 Senate seat vacated by then-Sen. Robert J. Garagiola (D-Montgomery).
Feldman was re-elected to a full Senate term in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018.
Maryland’s last competitive Democratic primary for comptroller was in 2006 when Franchot, then a 19-year member of the House of Delegates, took on former Governor-turned-Comptroller William Donald Schaefer (D) in a three-way contest that included former Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens (D).
Franchot squeaked out a win with 36.5% of the vote to Owen’s 34%. Schaefer, who died in April 2011, took 29.5% of the vote.
State. Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Prince George’s) is also mulling a run for comptroller in 2022.
