Tom Perez ruled ineligible to run for Attorney General

[nickshepDEM]

Montgomery County Councilman Thomas E. Perez was headed into the Democratic primary for attorney general with some pretty big backers: teachers, labor unions, environmental groups and others who could get voters to back a little-known candidate in a wide-open race.

But Friday, just as his first television advertisement of the campaign hit the airwaves, the Court of Appeals ruled that he is ineligible for the office. As a result, all that support from the liberal constituencies that make up a major chunk of the Democratic primary vote is now up for grabs.

Apparently he did not meet the 10 year Bar requirement.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/elections/bal-perez0825,0,2714615.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

[CBHagman]

1. Yeah, Stephen Abrams (R-Potomac) brought the suit.

He also personally argued it the appeal after it was thrown out earlier.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/071906/montcou192946_31947.shtml

I'm extremely disappointed, as I was looking forward to the next step in Perez's political career. However, I don't think we've seen the last of him.

[goclark]

2. Today he graciously gave his support to my cousin, Stu Simms

No longer in race, Perez backs Simms


Ex-attorney general candidate was ruled ineligible for office last week




By Andrea F. Seigel
Sun Reporter

August 29, 2006, 1:47 PM EDT

Montgomery County Councilman Thomas E. Perez, knocked off the Democratic primary ballot for attorney general by the Court of Appeals, is endorsing former Baltimore State's Attorney Stuart O. Simms in the contest.

Perez made the announcement today during a media event in Montgomery County. "Now is the time and place to cast a vote for Stu Simms," read literature handed out by Perez prior to the event.

"Stu is a man of vision, integrity and great experience," the statement said. "He is a true progressive."

In backing Simms, Perez is eschewing a fellow Montgomery County politician. Montgomery State's Attorney Douglas F. Gansler is the other candidate in the primary. The winner is expected to face Republican Scott Rolle, the Frederick County State's Attorney, in the contest to succeed retiring longtime incumbent J. Joseph Curran Jr., a Democrat.

In a debate Monday night on Maryland Public Television, Simms began hitting some of the same themes as Perez -- such as framing public safety and environmental issues before the attorney general's office as civil rights matters.

Last week, the appeals court ruled that Perez was not eligible to serve as attorney general because he had not been a Maryland lawyer for the 10 years required by the state constitution. Perez has been a member of the state bar since 2001, but he argued that because he was a federal prosecutor for years before then, he was able to appear in courts in all states, including Maryland.

State elections officials said yesterday they do not have enough time to remove Perez's name from the ballot prior to the Sept. 5 primary.


Stu Simms for Attorney General
www.stusimms2006.com <http://www.stusimms2006.com> "Simply the Best Qualified"
2701 N. Charles Street (Intersection of Charles & 27th Streets) Baltimore , MD 21218
Phone: [phone]