2nd Congressional District
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
(D) Helen Delich Bentley (R)
WINNER- C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Ruppersberger began his first
term in office as the tenth County Executive for Baltimore County in December
1994. He was elected to a second term in November of 1998, winning more
than 70 per cent of the vote in the countywide general election. He was
also the only county executive to win every precinct in this election. (1)
Prior to his election as
County Executive, Dutch was a partner with the law firm of Ruppersberger,
Clark, and Mister for 14 years. He served nine years on the Baltimore County
Council, representing the Third District. He was twice elected by his peers
to serve as council chairman. (2)
Bentley was elected to the
first of five consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives,
becoming only the 103rd women in U.S. history to be elected to the House.
She served on several committees including: Appropriations; Budget; Public
Works and Transportation; and Merchant Marine and Fisheries, as well as
the Steel, Art, Northeast, Human Rights, and Trade and Tourism Caucuses.(3)
While in Congress, Bentley built a reputation as a relentless fighter
for economic opportunity and a formidable mediator between labor and management.
As an expert on maritime issues she advocated fair trade practices and
a strong national defense.(4) And, as a Republican elected five times in a
district which was 2 1/2 to 1 Democrat, she built an incredible record
of effective constituent service. (5)
Since leaving the Congress
in 1995, Bentley has served as President of Helen Bentley & Associates,
Inc., specializing in international trade, economic development, and business
management and marketing consulting. Working in the field of international
consulting and economic development, her advice and counsel has been sought
by the Maryland Port Authority and several other prominent public and private
trade organizations. (6)
While Bentley has raised
$589,306 in comparison to Ruppersbergers' $862,888, she has only spent
$197,459 (compared to Ruppersbergers' $523,044). (7)
The district is largely liberal,
3 to 1 Democrat versus Republican. Bentley is pro-life, anti-gay rights,
and largely against free trade. Not only are her views outdated for this
Maryland district, but she is not spending nearly enough money or running
an effective campaign at all.
(1) http://www.dutchforcongress.com/
(2) http://www.dutchforcongress.com/
(3) http://www.bentleyforcongress.com/
(4) http://www.bentleyforcongress.com/
(5) http://www.bentleyforcongress.com/
(6) http://www.bentleyforcongress.com/
(7) http://www.opensecrets.org