Seating was alphabetical at a recent League of Women Voters candidates forum, an arrangement that put Melissa Ridgely Covolesky where she wants to be -- between the two incumbent Maryland delegates whose political alliance she is trying to split.

Covolesky, 37, a former military officer with deep family roots in western Howard's farming community, is a Republican trying to unseat Del. Warren E. Miller or Del. Gail H. Bates in the Sept. 12 GOP primary. District 9A Republican voters can choose two nominees for House of Delegates and one state senator. A third delegate is elected from the Carroll County (9B) portion of the district.

Covolesky, who is running for office full time right now, is a political newcomer running in a district where Republicans believe that winning the primary means victory in November.

"I'm not a political appointee and not an entrenched party member," she said. As a former officer in the military police, "I bring a broader perspective."

Those comments are a shot at Miller, 41, a mortgage officer at United Capital Mortgage Inc. in Columbia, who was appointed to his seat in March 2003 to fill a vacancy after serving two terms on the party central committee.

Bates, 60, defended Miller.

"Warren has the same record of service the last four years that I do. The fact that he's not been tested in an election is not as significant as the fact that he's an incumbent," she said.

Covolesky faces a daunting challenge -- to beat one of two incumbent delegates running with full backing from state Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, who has no primary opponent. They've got the power of their combined fundraising, as well as their street campaigning and incumbency.

In November, Kittleman will face Democrat Rich Corkran, while the primary winners for delegate will face David Osmundson, the only Democrat running for delegate in the district.

To help counter their unity campaign, Covolesky is urging voters to choose her alone instead of voting for two delegate candidates. That is an electoral tactic called "single-shooting" that magnifies the effect of a single vote in a multiple-choice election. She also lent her campaign $10,000 to get started, but the Kittleman, Bates and Miller team reported having more than four times more cash on hand Aug. 8.

Kittleman predicted his team would win.

"I don't have anything personally against Melissa," Kittleman said. "She just came out of nowhere. In a Republican primary, people are going to want to see what you have done for the party and the community. She's a very nice person. She should have run for the central committee."

The competition is for the 4,600 or so loyal GOP voters expected to participate in the House of Delegates primary in the sprawling District 9A that stretches across northern and western Howard County from Ellicott City to Lisbon.

Miller says a fair number of western county voters have not focused on the election and may not understand exactly what their choices are for delegate.

"They take [Covolesky's] yard signs because they know her or her father, but there's a lot of confusion about who's running for what," Miller said. Covolesky's father, Brice Ridgely, farms in Cooksville, and the farm is also her campaign headquarters.

Still, people who vote in low-turnout Republican primaries are "astute voters who know who represents them," he said.

Bates, too, thinks the team approach is a winning strategy.

"I think there's strength in our running together," she said. "We have worked together as a team, so it makes sense to continue to do that."

Bates has nothing negative to say about Covolesky, a bright, articulate candidate who is as engaging as Miller seems shy.

"She seems very nice," Bates said.

But there's more to public service than running for office, said Bates, an accountant and one-time top aide to Charles I. Ecker, the former Howard County executive.

"Warren and I have a very strong record, and not just in Annapolis," she said. "[In Howard County] we sponsored a TV-free week, we hold ice cream socials, we've been involved in the schools for simulated congressional hearings, and we go to community meetings. That shows our commitment to our constituents.

"Frankly, I don't think Melissa has done anything [in the community], but anybody can run."

Covolesky has a ready response.

"I would remind people that serving my country has been a valuable service, as well," she said. Covolesky spent 12 years on active duty, after ROTC training at what was then Western Maryland College. She left the Army as a major, and in May finished law school.

Covolesky stresses her support for preserving farming as an occupation in Howard, and said she would like to sponsor legislation to offer a tax credit for active-duty military people from Maryland serving in other states. That, she said, would keep them from changing their legal residence, preserving tax revenue for Maryland.

She also favors slot machines to help racing and the horse industry, a position Miller shares. Bates opposes slots on religious grounds.

At a July 20 forum sponsored by the Howard County Republican Club in Lisbon, Miller talked about his record supporting the planned $28.5 million interchange planned for Route 32 at Burnt Woods Road, and he said he wants Interstate 70 widened in western Ellicott City.

Covolesky, who lives in Mount Airy with her husband, talked about her family's history, from her ancestors in Colonial times to her attendance at Glenelg High.

Bates missed that forum, but at the League of Women Voters forum Aug. 15, she criticized the electricity rate-increase deal adopted by the General Assembly over Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s objections.

"It was worse than the deal the governor had brokered. We're all going to be paying for 10 years," she said, referring to the decade of payments Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers must make to pay for what the utility must borrow to keep the full rate increase from taking effect until January 2008.
 

Delegation Candidates Tackle Human-Service Issues
The View  - BRYNA ZUMER - Originally published July 5, 2006

What is the future of local transit? What human service challenges does the county face? Those were the main issues that candidates for state delegation tried to address during a forum at Oakland Mills Meeting House on June 28.

Sponsored by the Association of Community Services and attended by about 50 of its members, the forum gave each of the 19 candidates in attendance three minutes to speak, as well as the chance to answer written questions from the audience. (Twenty-two candidates are actually running.)

Rating sheets distributed at the forum also allowed the audience to rate each candidate’s position on ACS’ priority issues – public transportation, housing, access to services, and physical and mental health.

“We need to constantly reassess, reevaluate and reallocate our programs,” said Melissa Ridgely Covolesky (R), running in District 9A, about the state of public transit.

She said transportation has to serve the segments that actually need it. “If our public transit is not operating where we need it to, I will advocate to change that.”...
Read the Full Article
 

Union backing
Baltimore Sun - by Larry Carson - Originally published June 25, 2006

"...Although some Republicans feel that union endorsements don't help GOP primary candidates running in western Howard's legislative District 9A, Melissa Ridgely Covolesky is happy her bid for a seat in the House of Delegates has been endorsed by the Howard County Education Association.

"I think it shows that the union is willing to work bipartisan and that I'm bringing something new to the table," she said. "I do think it will help."

Covolesky is the only Republican that the union, which represents 5,500 county teachers and school employees, endorsed for the General Assembly. The union chose to back one of its own - career county teacher and Democrat Rich Corkran - for the District 9 state Senate seat over incumbent State Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, a Republican.

Union President Ann DeLacy said incumbent District 9A Dels. Gail H. Bates and Warren E. Miller, both Republicans, had only an 11 percent voting record on issues the group tracks.

"We were very, very impressed with her," DeLacy said of Covolesky. "She's a native Howard countian, a product of Howard schools, she's not in favor of [private school] vouchers and she doesn't vote just on party lines."
Read the Full Article
 

Howard County Teachers Union Endorces Political Newcomer Melissa Ridgely Covolesky
The Columbia Flier - by Jennifer Surface - Originally published June, 2006

"...The Howard union also announced June 7 that it is endorsing...political newcomer Melissa Ridgely Covolesky, a Republican, in District 9A. Covolesky is challenging incumbent Republicans Warren Miller and Gail Bates."
Read the Full Article
 

County Native Brings Diverse Skills to Race
The Business Monthly - by Len Lazarick - Originally published April, 2006

Melissa Ridgely Covolesky, like other Howard County political hopefuls, is part of a younger generation of candidates who grew up here. But unlike most of these candidates, Covolesky lives and works on the family farm, and is part of the Ridgely clan that has been in Howard County and Maryland for centuries.

Preserving the farming way of life that makes western Howard County so attractive to new homeowners is a prime reason she's running. "Our agricultural heritage is not dead and it is important enough for someone to stand up and say it is worth protecting," she said at her March 6 speech, when she kicked off her race for delegate in District 9A against two incumbent Republicans.

Covolesky said that, despite encroaching development, she wants to "expand markets and create new opportunities for farmers," offering them tax incentives.

In an interview, she noted that "development restrictions preserve open space but they don't preserve farming operations."

Besides helping run her father's thoroughbred farm in Cooksville, Covolesky, 37, has an extensive law enforcement background. An ROTC graduate of then-Western Maryland (now McDaniel) College, she served in the airborne military police with postings in Panama, Haiti and Egypt, and eventually commanded the military police brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C., home of the 82nd Airborne Division.

After serving as an anti-terrorism officer in southern Germany, Covolesky left active duty and is now a major in the reserves. She is finishing her law degree at George Washington University. "As you can see, I'm not your standard candidate for public office," she said.

Howard County "is a safe and comfortable place to live and work," she told a group of family and friends, "but our state as a whole isn't as lucky as we are here, and some of our laws need strengthening to ensure crime and gang activity don't encroach into our areas. We need stringent laws against witness intimidation and programs that link jurisdictions trying to fight transient criminal activity."

She also believes her anti-terrorism experience will be useful on homeland security issues at the State House.

Covolesky favors income tax exemptions on the retirement pay for members of the armed services who have served at least 20 years, and she also supports tax exemptions for Maryland residents serving in the military outside the state. She believes both measures will encourage veterans to retire and retain their residence in Maryland, rather than in states that do not tax their pay.

In this heavily Republican western Howard County district, Covolesky is running in the GOP primary against incumbent Dels. Gail Bates and Warren Miller. But she is specifically targeting Miller, who was appointed three years ago to fill out the term of Del. Robert Flanagan, now Maryland secretary of transportation.

Bates and Miller are running on a ticket with Sen. Allan Kittleman, who was appointed to complete the term of his late father, Bob Kittleman.

Because Miller "hasn't already been vetted and elected, I don't think he should be riding on the coattails of those who have," Covolesky said. "He was appointed by a small, select group," the Republican central committee, of which he was a member, she pointed out. Miller was chosen over several longtime party leaders who had applied for the job, including Charles Feaga, who was later appointed to fill Allan Kittleman's seat on the County Council and who attended Covolesky's announcement.

The candidate met her husband, David Covolesky, at Fort Bragg. He is a West Point graduate who became a Green Beret and later graduated with an MBA from Harvard University.

http://www.bizmonthly.com/4_2006/13.shtml
 

Political Business
The Business Monthly - by Len Lazarick - Originally published April, 2006

Good Crop of Candidates

Reporting on new candidates for office this month and attending several events reminded me how blessed we are in Howard County with the quality of our candidates and elected officials.

No kidding, that's not tongue-in-cheek. I really mean it.

Oh, there are a few bozos, and some people are plainly out of their depth - no, I'm not going to name names. You can pretty much figure that out after you read a few stories that make you say: "This guy/gal is an idiot."

Fortunately, most of our elected officials and the people who want to replace them are not idiots. Many are incredibly bright, accomplished in their own fields of endeavor, and, of course, some are incredibly ambitious.

I know many people put down politicians in general, but I think that is because so few people have actually had much personal contact with them.

Ah, but Lazarick, you say, the politicians have clearly hoodwinked you into believing they are sincere public servants, interested in the commonweal (that's "public good" for those of you expanding your vocabulary). Those politicians lie all the time, you say.

Actually, I've found that politicians don't lie much more than the average business person or professional. We all spin the truth in our own favor (let me know if that's not true in your case - I'll send you the sainthood application). We all dissemble, tell half-truths or engage in probably the most dangerous kind of deceit - self-deception.

Few politicians have actually lied to my face. One of these, from another county, is now under indictment on another matter. Most of the lies involved embarrassing personal matters, like drinking problems, illness and adultery.

Upstarts and Old-Timers

These thoughts were stirred by some of the new generation of politicos, many of whom grew up here. You can read reports elsewhere in this issue.

If you're a strongly partisan Democrat or Republican, you may reject these folks out of hand, but they are in general appealing figures, some just getting their acts together. Most will work long and hard over the next months to earn your votes.

There is, for instance, Melissa Ridgely Covolesky, who acquired a mouthful by marriage to a guy with not so shabby credentials - a West Point grad who became a Green Beret and then got a Harvard MBA. Melissa, from an old-line Howard County clan, grew up here and spent over a decade in the airborne military police, holding the rank of major, and is finishing her law degree. She's 37. If she works hard, as she seems inclined to do, she will give the two incumbent delegates in 9A a good fight in the Republican primary. They ought to be concerned, but average voters need not worry. They're all good candidates.

Read the Full Article
http://www.bizmonthly.com/4_2006/9.shtml
 

Howard County Sun Guide 2006
The Baltimore Sun - Originally published March 19, 2006

Covolesky to Run for District 9A Seat
The View - Originally published March 6, 2006

Bright and early Monday morning, March 6, at the Forest Diner, Melissa Ridgely Covolesky announced her candidacy for the House of Delegates seat in District 9A. A Republican, Covolesky will attempt to unseat incumbents Gail Bates or Warren Miller for one of the two available seats.

“My campaign theme this year is ‘Honoring our heritage while forging our future.” What better place than the Forest Diner? I thought this was a very appropriate place,” said Covolesky, who explained that she and her mother worked at the Enchanted Forest when they were in high school.

“We had it here so everyone can get to work, and when you are a farmer you are used to getting up at 4 a.m.,” said Covolesky’s father, Brice Ridgely.

Raised on a beef cattle farm in Cooksville, Covolesky speaks to the agricultural-based community.

A 1986 Glenelg High School graduate, Covolesky went on to study Political Science and History at  Western Maryland College (now McDaniel). After receiving her degree, she attended the Military Police Office Basic Course in Alabama and was later assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC.

With a background in security and law enforcement with the U.S. Army, Covolesky believes she can make a difference in Annapolis.

“You send someone to Annapolis with a law enforcement background who has had to work with multiple jurisdictions and coordinate crime prevention strategy. Someone who understands that it doesn’t matter how many criminals the police catch,  if the laws don’t ensure that people pay for their crimes, we aren’t truly safe. I have that law enforcement background,” she said.

Covolesky, addressing a room full of family, friends, and county officials, pointed out that terrorism “has embedded itself in our society and is a sad new reality for our citizens.”.

According to biographical information included in her press packet, while she was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, Covolesky served as the Anti-Terrorism Officer for the southern portion of Germany: “She worked with German Police and International Relief Agencies to coordinate emergency responses and was responsible for six military installations with roughly 40,000 people. She wrote the Weapons of Mass Destruction Response Plan and the Consequence Management Plan for the European Command Headquarters.”

Covolsky plans to  address programs such as agriculture operations, expansion of equestrian and racing programs, support of  ethical and realistic stem cell research, the integration of State Homeland Security with disaster preparedness, and anti-gang awareness.

“I’m not your standard candidate,” she admits, “but I’m going to count on each and every one of you to help  me  attain my goals.”

Where She Stands

Tax Relief for Veterans: Vets with 20+ years of service should not have to pay state taxes on their retirement checks.

Tax Relief for Active Duty Service Members: Maryland should support relief measures for active duty members not serving in the state.

Tax Relief for Elderly Property Owners: Property assessment should be cut for senior citizens and capped to prevent further increases.

Property Rights/Eminent Domain: Eminent Domain should be limited to those projects vitally necessary to restore blighted urban areas or for purely public projects not benefiting a private party.

Link to article
Email Tammi Slater at tslater@theviewnewspapers.com. 
 

Campaign Kick Off Annoucement
Melissa officially kicked off her campaign on Monday, March 6th at the Forest Diner, Route 40, across from the Enchanted Forest.

Read a copy of Melissa's Kick Off speech.

For more information, please contact the campaign at 410-489-2706.
 

Smoking opponents in Howard view Montgomery County Executive Duncan as an ally
Baltimore Sun - Originally published February 12, 2006

[excerpt]
Three for two
While Democrats search for a state Senate candidate to oppose incumbent state Sen. Allan H. Kittleman in western Howard, and for someone to join David Osmundson as a candidate for House of Delegates, Republicans have the opposite problem: three candidates for two slots.

Republican Melissa Ridgely Covolesky, 37, of Mount Airy, former active duty Army officer and law student and a descendant of one of Maryland's oldest families, is planning to compete with Dels. Warren E. Miller and Gail H. Bates for District 9A's two House seats. District 9 also covers a portion of southern Carroll County, which is a separate sub-district represented by Del. Susan W. Krebs.

"My family has historically been active in politics," Covolesky said, adding that her military training in military police work and anti-terrorism could bring a fresh perspective to the county delegation. "I don't believe people should run unchallenged."

Covolesky, an Army Reserve major, spent 12 years in the military, living outside the county, but returned with her husband, David, in 2003, she said.

She plans to run her campaign from the family's 200-acre horse farm in Cooksville, where she grew up and wants to find more ways to ensure a sound future for working farms in the county. Because Miller was appointed to his seat and has never been elected, Covolesky said she believes this is the time to run.

Miller, a management consultant and, like Covolesky a Glenelg High School graduate with a family history in Howard's farming past, was appointed in early 2003 to fill a seat vacated by Robert L. Flanagan, state transportation secretary.

Miller and Bates said they welcome competition, but are running as a team with Kittleman this year, contending they have a four-year record to recommend themselves to voters.

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