From www.explorebaltimorecounty.com, and written by Bryan Sears
Hadfield
Jordan Hadfield knows he’s facing an uphill battle.
Hadfield, 24, said he plans to challenge 10-term State Sen. Norman Stone in next September’s Democratic primary.
“My race is not going to be about me challenging anyone,” Hadfield said. “It’s going to be about a vision. It’s about what needs to be done.”
The Dundalk resident will officially kick off his campaign Sept. 19 with three stops in three different parts of the district, starting with the Boulevard Diner on Merritt Boulevard and ending with a 9 p.m. appearance at Pizza John’s in Essex. (And who doesn’t like a slice of pizza with their politics?)
Hadfield ran unsuccessfully for the State Democratic Central Committee in 2006 and worked to help get Stone re-elected.
The Dundalk resident, who served as the first main street manager for the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, said 40 years of declining jobs at area steel mills, increased crime, sex offenders and historic communities with 42 percent home ownership are problems that need to be solved. Hadfield said he sees the position of state senator as the political head of the community — and should be a leader in solving those problems.
“We can’t wait another 10 years,” said Hadfield, who holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and is working on completing his doctorate in public policy. (Hadfield also works at the university in the development office — a job he said he would have to give up if he wins the senate seat.)
“We keep being told that the 35,000 jobs at the steel mill aren’t coming back,” Hadfield said. “Why haven’t we tried to get new businesses here, find new jobs to bring here? People who have jobs can take care of their families and don’t mess around.”
Stone is the longest serving member currently serving in the state Senate.
Hadfield represents the first primary challenge for Stone since 1998. In that election Anthony Narutowicz, a Democratic Central Committee member from Dundalk, unsuccessfully challenged Stone for the seat.
Hadfield began raising money last year. So far he has raised about $9,000 and has about half that on hand. He estimates he will need about $50,000 to run a competitive race against Stone, who reported having about $25,000 on hand in January.
Hadfield said he expects Stone will ultimately have “as much money as he needs.”
“No amount of money is going to win this election,” Hadfield said. “One million dollars is not going to make a candidate go door-to-door meeting as many peple in the district as possible. I plan to go through as many pairs of shoes as possible. I’ll be able to get a shoe endorsement deal — I’ll know which brands are the best.”
