Politics & Government

Ellicott City's Loveless Announces Candidacy for District 9B Delegate Seat

A Republican Ellicott City businesswoman said Wednesday she will run for the new District 9B delegate seat in 2014.

"I've never been in politics," said Carol Loveless, who is the owner of Quality Security Service, a security firm in Ellicott City, "but I've always paid attention and things just started to get out of hand. The irresponsible action from Annapolis was pretty mind-boggling."

Loveless, 54, said it was the General Assembly's willingness to follow Gov. Martin O'Malley's agenda and support items like the "rain tax", the gas tax, and increased income taxes that prompted her to enter the race.

"Maryland by population is a Democratic state, but even the Democrats, I don't they're as liberal as [O'Malley's] agenda has been," said Loveless. She said there's a need for checks and balances at the state level, which is mostly populated by Democratic politicians.

"I watched the reaction of companies and they are either really careful with their money, or they're looking to leave Maryland," said Loveless about her perspective on the current climate for business in the state.

"I think with what happened this year and the past year in the General Assembly, the independents are much more likely to vote for someone who would like to rein in spending and the ever-increasing taxes," said Loveless.

Loveless' candidacy brings the total number of candidates for the open seat that was created as part of redistricting in 2012 to two—Ellicott City blogger Tom Coale announced Tuesday he would run for the seat as a Democrat. Previously Ellicott City was mostly in District 9A, which now includes mostly Western Howard County.

Loretta Shields, chairperson of the Howard County Republican Party said there will likely be a primary in the party for the District 9B seat. She said the party is not endorsing any candidates before the primary.

Loveless said she has lived in Ellicott City since 1981. She grew up in Virginia. Her three children attended Centennial High School and one is now a baseball coach at the school. She said she started her security company 13 years ago after working for Pinkerton Security for 18 years. Her company provides security for corporate buildings and facilities.

"I know from raising three children in Howard County that families in the county are busy," said Loeveless. "They're trying to get kids to school, to baseball, music lessons, earn a living and worry about their careers. They don't have time to sit and watch everything that comes out of Annapolis. I hope to be their advocate. I want to be the person that has their best interests at heart."



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