Barry Glassman, after years of biding his time, playing it cool, and largely avoiding major election-year face offs many thought he could have won (the Heltons came awfully
close to ousting David Craig last year, after all) looks poised to assume the position of Harford’s Northern Senator. With Hooper set to step down before the end of the year due to failing health, Glassman’s competition for the gubernatorial appointment to replace him looks slim – in the early stages at least.
The real question will be, Who Replaces Barry. It will not be Council President Billy Boniface, who would be nuts to give up his seat in Bel Air. As a friend of The Dagger so eloquently put it, “the chief of seven is better than the freshman minority of a circus of 143.” Former Del. Joanne Parrott, after being booted just last fall, and letting her public image slip a bit beforehand, is less than likely to win the support of the county’s Republican Central Committee. Former council prez Rob Wagner, who we can’t imagine wanting to join the throng on the House floor (and who’s had some image problems of his own), lives outside the Northern district.
As The Dagger hears it, central committee members Teresa Reilly and Chad Shrodes, in his first 
year as a county councilman, are both considered serious early candidates to replace Glassman. Reilly, in the vein of her husband, Clerk of the Harford County Circuit Court Jim, is a political construct who has served on enough committees, campaigns and fundraisers to be considered for the delegate spot (for more case history on the rise and fall of a political constructe, please see Sheryl Davis-Kohl).
Shrodes is a Democrat turned Republican who might be itching to move on up – especially with whispers former county councilman Lance Miller, the man who formerly occupied his seat – is eager to get back into the game.
God knows we’ll probably hear from Bob Thomas before this one’s over, as he’s so far yet to reject his role on the committee as He Whom No One Wants To Let In Out Of The Rain. In fact, a parade of failed candidates and up and comers will likely ask for the spot.
Perhaps the two fine young Republicans most hoping for an untimely death or well-timed political scandal to escalate their political careers are former county councilman Mike Geppi and current Bel Air Mayor Terry Hanley.
Unfortunately for them, neither lives in Glassman’s Northern District 35A, so any interest in political ascension would have to be to take on Barry for Hooper’s senate seat. Geppi was once the GOP golden boy and was rumored to have formerly boasted of making a run for council presidency, which never materialized. For Hanley to move on up he’d have to take on a former colleague at nearly every step – ‘Cap’n’ Jim McMahan at the county council and Del. Susan McComas in Annapolis, both were former Bel Air Town Commissioners. His try for Hooper’s senate seat would likely just be to garner future name recognition and credibility.
As if that wasn’t enough, it’s likely the entire cast of characters who ran against Shrodes in his bid for the Northern District D seat on the Harford County Council – Charles Burns, Amy Hopkins Daney, Jason Gallion and Doug Howard – are opening exploratory committees. We won’t be holding our breath on this one.
I am saddened to hear about Bob, he has worked hard for his constituents especially Seniors and Veterans. Unfortunately, much of the legislation he introduced was not passed by the Dems.
Glassman does not deserve Hooper's seat he has brought home little for Harford County from Annapolis. He main goal has been as you put it Brian "bidding his time" and stay in office.
Not exactly sure of that district but Miller would be a much better candidate if he lives in it. Miller would at least get in there and work for Harford County. Which if anyone is paying attention to what is going on with the Special Session, Harford County deserately needs.
Riley didn't even show up to vote (he was in FL) against the tax increase. If money is tight in Annapolis do you really think what is available will go to Republican Harford County?
Or, just to stir the pot a bit, why not Republican Central Committee member Steve Wright he worked for Hooper during the last session?
Interesting you float Terry Hanley's name out there. I said after the municipal election that Terry has his eye on a higher position.
Unfortunately, the Republican delegation in Annapolis is, and will continue to be for some time, too weak to really be of any consequence. I think Mr Hooper's resignation speaks to more than his health issues. It speaks to his overall fatigue and frustration with the current state of affairs at the State House.
I wish Bob all the best. I grew up around him through youth sports, and he is a good man.
I forsee a few chips falling as little guys who want to be bigger guys vie for his position. Who ever it turns out to be, they will have big shoes to fill.
It seems the Hooper resignation is official. Too bad, he's a good guy .
The ceremony for Bob Ehrlich's swearing in took place on the steps of the State House on a freezing, freezing winters day. It took forever to get started, so all of the media was standing around in winter parkas, jumping up and down to stay warm. A young reporter for a twice a week paper (that had been reporting on a particularly ugly accusation against Hooper), for some reason, didnt think to wear a coat. He was standing outside, arms crossed, pretending it wasnt cold. Bob Hooper saw him there, walked over, and literally gave him the coat off his back. True story.
bobby come's from a hard working family. played with the family' when I was very young.knew the family very well.but as life will we drifted apart.bobby started harford sanitation in his fathers pasture field. in 1953
Mr.Hooper is a very good Man.I really hate for him to retire for health reasons. He will be missed a great deal.
Who better than Art Helton to replace Mr. Hooper.Art has experience ( having been elected to the Md. Senate) Knows his way around Annapolis and has a keen eye for helping people.
Hopefully our Governor will tap this local talent
If Helton replaced Hooper then he wouldn't be in Aberdeen to pull the strings.
joshua I'am aware of the stench' that was stirred about bobby. it's garbage. nothing more then to discredit a fine man. david ronnie patty his sister. his father was known as j.m.hard working good people.
Helton can't replace Hooper – news flash he is a Democrat.
I was that young reporter! I am that young reporter. Thanks for jogging my memory Josh.
It was snowing. Ehrlich was hugging Harkins up on the big stage. I was shivering down below and trying to huddle up next to the 6'4" WJZ reporter woman.
Hooper sort of sauntered on over to me, asked where my jacket was (a question I've been asked a number of times and still don't have a good answer for), and proceeded to take off his over-sized wool coat and drape it across my shoulders.
This was after the child sex abuse thing popped up and I remembered thinking here was a guy being awful trusting of a reporter who has skewered him with stories about the case not long before.
Hoop, was always very fair and kind to lost, young reporters. And lord knows Matt and I will miss calling his cohort Sen. Nancy Jacobs on her cell while on the Senate floor and listen to the two of them banter back and forth about the votes.
Senator Hooper is a very good guy Brian and giving you the coat from his back is commendable, but Glassman would better serve the people. Hoop was fair (we attend the same church), but he’s one of the worse negotiators for the people. Ehrlich was a friend of the Harford County people and the Governor–paradise for us until the people desired a change.
Well change it is, now watch your wallet because O’Malley is out to steal it. O’Malley thinks he’s playing hard ball but he’s out of his league. Sure, he may have the votes and his tax plan probably will pass but the State of MD and its people will suffer++++trust me. It’s called ECON 101.
It's a little unfair to say Mr Hooper wasn't a good negotiator for the people. What Republican Senator in Annapolis holds ANY real political power?