How Local Leaders Feel About Garagiola’s Resignation

Local leaders are processing the news of Sen. Robert J. Garagiola’s resignation with lament, surprise and acceptance, as the attention shifts to what his absence could mean for District 15.

“I think he’ll be sorely missed,” said Marilyn Balcombe, president of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce. “But I know Rob and whatever he does next, he’ll still be contributing to the community.”

Garagiola, the Maryland Senate Majority Leader, has been in office since 2003 and had been considered destined for political greatness. His district covers much of northwestern Montgomery County.

Last year, he lost the Democratic primary for the 6th District congressional seat to newcomer John Delaney, a businessman from Potomac, despite being strongly favored.

In a statement issued Thursday, Garagiola, 40, of Germantown, announced that he was leaving office to spend more time with his family. He said he had no plans to return to public office.

Political blog Maryland Juice posted the full statement at its website, MarylandJuice.com.

Garagiola's resignation is a “huge loss for the Senate,” said Sen. Nancy J. King (D-Dist. 15) of Montgomery Village, adding that she understood his reasons.

“He's running around trying to be a good dad and going to all the games, all the stuff that a good dad needs to do—plus trying to be a good senator,” King told Patch. “He got stretched really thin. The reality is that family has to come first.”

Any public official could empathize with how Garagiola’s feeling, said Del. Aruna Miller (D-Dist. 15) of Darnestown.

“I do understand the fact, that like many elected officials who have families, it can be a tough job to do. I understand that and I completely respect his decision to spend more time with his kids," Miller told Patch.

Balcombe, a longtime Garagiola supporter, said she was surprised at the news.

She said Garagiola made Germantown more visible and credited him with advocating for the Corridor Cities Transitway—a bus rapid transit line planned for a 9-mile corridor between the Shady Grove Metro station and the Metropolitan Grove MARC station just south of Germantown.

“He’s been just a stalwart advocate for the CCT, never letting it be forgotten,” Balcombe said.

The fate of the District 15 seat is now up to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, which will nominate a replacement, subject to approval by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D).

The central committee has 30 days from the time Garagiola vacates his seat to submit a name to the governor, MCDCC Chairman Gabriel Albornoz told The Gazette.

Del. Brian Feldman (D-Dist. 15) of Potomac, has been mentioned as a possible replacement. He was the person King said she’d like to see fill the seat.

“But we'll have to see what the central committee thinks,” King said.

Balcombe said she couldn’t make an endorsement on behalf of the chamber, but said the three District 15 delegates—Miller, Feldman and Kathleen Dumais—are strong leaders.

“If the new state senator is one of those three, we’d be in good hands,” Balcombe said.

Miller said she’s not interested.

“I've gotta tell you, I love being in the House of Delegates and have no plans to change that,” she said.