Op-Ed: A Political Year by Fletcher Hall

The New Year will see the fact that a national election year will even more bring politics to the fore front. It appears one party will have an inauguration and the other, a brawl. In past national elections it has been the Democrats who have had the brawl and the Republicans, the selection of a more staid and selectively chosen candidate for president. Apparently, not in 2016.

In Maryland, it is most obvious that Governor Hogan is strongly supporting his friend and mentor, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, for president. He has campaigned for Christie in New Hampshire. It appears that any Maryland delegation to the Republican nominating convention will be pro-Christie.
Due to the retirement of a long time Democrat, liberal Senator Barbara Mikulski, there will be a primary and general election to replace Mikulski. She has been the longest-serving woman Senator in the history of the United States Senate. As a member, and, subsequently, Chairman of the Senate powerful Appropriations Committee. Mikulski, in that role, has been to guide millions of federal dollars to Maryland. Coming from Baltimore City that has meant that the city has been the recipient of much of the federal largess Mikulski has had available to dispense over the years.

The reign of two Senators from Baltimore City will most likely end with the 2016 election. It appears that the new Senator elected from Maryland will hail from the Washington suburbs. This may change the dynamics and paradigm of Maryland politics, especially Maryland Democratic politics. This come at a time when Baltimore City will be seeking any assistance it can garner. The times, they are a-changing.
At present, the Democrat primary pits Congressman Chris Van Hollen from Montgomery County, against Congressman Donna Edwards, of Prince Georges County. Both are liberals. Van Hollen has been a prodigy of former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.

So, there will be a significant political year, in 2016, in Maryland. An interesting one, as the election of Governor Larry Hogan, has signaled the ascendency of the Republican Party in Maryland. Hogan demonstrated that a low voter turnout in Baltimore City and substantial support in the balance of Maryland could elect a Republican statewide. Both Van Hollen and Edwards will need to be cognizant of this factor. Motivations for voter turn out are, at best, uncertain as the New Year begins. Fear of terrorism and the need for additional jobs appear to lead the list of issues at present. The number of military installations and sensitive federal government such as the National Security Agency makes locations in Maryland more susceptible to terrorism concerns.

Maryland, while a swing state, as the demographics demonstrate, may have a rather heavy Democratic voter registration. In the political year of 2016, unexpected leading candidates have appeared, issues have changed rapidly, and the changing demographics of the electorate of the nation will affect the outcome of many local, state and national elections.

America has seen several critical elections in the history of the nation. The 2016 election year will not only be a game-changer; but it may also change the history of the world, and the direction of the United States.