Frederick News Post, July 7, 2006
Weldon to run again
By Sarah Breitenbach
July 1, 2006
FREDERICK - Delegate Rick Weldon surveyed his voting record for the last four years before heading to the Frederick County Board of Elections to file for a chance at a second term on Thursday.
Mr. Weldon, 47, said that record would be a key factor in his re-election bid.
"I think my voting history and my work over the course of those four years stands on its own and is my best defense (in) the campaign," the Frederick Republican said Friday morning.
Mr. Weldon is completing his first term serving District 3B, which spans parts of Frederick and Washington counties.
He said three specific issues - health care, open government and workforce housing - will highlight his run for another term.
Bringing both affordability and accessibility to Maryland health care will take some time, Mr. Weldon said.
The House Health and Government Operations Committee, of which Mr. Weldon is a member, has already addressed the issue, but did not make enough progress, he said.
"The health care issue is so big and complicated, I don't think that's something I can make big progress on in one year," he said. "I think it's going to take a couple years of working with the legislature and coming up with different approaches to the problem."
During this year's legislative session Mr. Weldon introduced a bill to modify the reporting requirement when governments close meetings to the public.
The measure passed both houses unanimously and was signed into law by Gov. Robert Ehrlich.
Mr. Weldon called the bill a first step and said more work needs to be done to further open government.
He is also drafting a bill that would allow local governments to waive costs, such as housing impact fees, in order to make housing affordable for teachers, police officers, firefighters and other government-supported employees.
In a news release issued Thursday evening, Mr. Weldon noted awards and recognition from groups like the Maryland Municipal League, the National Committee for Grandparents Rights and the Maryland State Fireman's Association.
"I'm pretty proud of the fact that people recognize that I know how to get work done, and you don't get work done in Annapolis by beating on your chest or pounding on a table," he said.
Mr. Weldon has also served as a county commissioner, the chief operations officer for the City of Frederick and city administrator for Brunswick.
The deadline to file for election in all state and local races is Monday. The primary election will be held Sept. 12 and the general election will be Nov. 7.
