Andrews Launches Website in Bid for Montgomery County Executive

It’s no secret that Montgomery County Councilman Philip M. Andrews plans to run for Montgomery County Executive in 2014. 

Now, with 2014 just 361 days away, Andrews has launched a website, the political blog Maryland Juice reported Friday.

PhilAndrews.com includes the flag “Phil Andrews for Montgomery County Executive” and tells visitors: “We'll be adding material to our new website over the coming weeks; please return to see what's new!”

It also includes a place to sign up to volunteer for the campaign and—as any good campaign site should—a place to donate money.

The Democratic councilman from Gaithersburg is in his fourth term representing District 3, which includes Gaithersburg, Rockville, Washington Grove, Leisure World, and parts of Aspen Hill, Derwood, North Potomac and Potomac.

As of early Friday evening, Andrews was running fourth in an unscientific Patch poll posted Nov. 28. Andrews had 13 of 103 votes (12 percent) in a field of eight prospective candidates for County Executive—all Democrats—who have expressed interest in running in 2014.

County Councilman George L. Leventhal (At large) of Takoma Park was leading with 29 votes (28 percent), followed by former County Executive Douglas M. Duncan with 26 votes (25 percent) and County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring with 16 votes (15 percent).

County Executive Isiah Leggett, who told The Examiner in November that he would think about whether to run for a third term after New Year’s Day 2013, was just behind Andrews with 10 votes (9 percent). Leggett had recently told Patch that he had not changed his mind after saying that he would not seek re-election.

What do you make of the campaign machinery already in motion for 2014? Is it too much too soon for a weary electorate? Business as usual in Montgomery County politics? A sign of a protracted primary ahead? Tell us in the comments.