Legum’s New Line

Since February, I’ve been volunteering for Josh Cohen’s mayoral campaign. Why did I support Josh?

As the election season began, it was clear Annapolitians of all stripes were deeply upset about an embarrassing string of management blunders. But I think even more significantly, there was a sense among many people that the city government was not listening to their concerns.

Although I had met Josh as a kid growing up in Annapolis, we weren’t friends before this election began. But I had followed Josh’s career and I knew he was someone who could bring diverse groups of people together and find common ground. Beyond any single issue, I supported Josh because I believed he would provide a new style of leadership the city sorely needed.

It was a wild ride, but Josh ended up being elected mayor last Tuesday. He’s already demonstrating that he was the right choice for a city that’s endured division and partisan rancor for too long.

Today, he announced a truly remarkable transition team for his administration. His team includes:

– Dave Cordle and Chris Fox, his two opponents from last weeks’ election.

– Zina Pierre, his top opponent in Democratic primary. Zina won the primary and Josh was named as her replacement when she declined the nomination.

– Fred Paone, the remaining Republican on the city council.

– Three Republican candidates for the city council who lost.

– Doug Smith, who endorsed Cordle and spearheaded a petition drive for a council-manager form of government that Josh opposed.

– Paul Foer, a blogger and columnist for the Capital who was one of Josh’s strongest critics throughout the primary and general elections.

It’s revealing not only that Josh picked these folks, but that they all accepted.

Of course, not all members of the transition team were former opponents and critics. I’m honored that Josh named me chair of the committee focused on the Market House and City Dock. I’m joined by a diverse group of people spread over eight committees on issues of importance to the city. You can read the full list of transition team members here.

I think that Josh demonstrated today, in quite dramatic fashion, that he is not “more of the same.” I’m proud to have supported him.

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