Shae Ashe, First To Drop Out Of SD-17 Race. Endorses Linda Fields

Ashe’s announcement comes just two nights before the Montgomery County Democratic  Committee (MCDC) holds its Endorsement Meeting, on January 30. Even with Ashe’s endorsement, it is unlikely that that Fields will win the committee’s endorsement, but she could play a key role in determining whether or not the committee endorses anybody,  or winds up with an Open Primary (no endorsesment).

Most of the Montgomery County Democratic Leadership is backing Amanda Cappelletti, but to win the Committee’s endorsement she will have to get 60% of votes at the endorsement meeting. If Cappelletti fails to get 60% on the first ballot, according to MCDC rules, she will have a runoff against the candidate with the second highest number of votes on the first ballot. And that person is probably going to be the incumbent, Daylin Leach.

So before the second ballot, Fields will have a tough choice to make. She can drop out, and throw her support behind Cappelletti. That could very likely enable Cappelletti to win the endorsement. Or she can ask her supporters to vote for Leach. Even with Fields’ support, it’s unlikely that he could win the endorsement, but with Fields’ support, it would significantly reduce Cappelletti’s chances of being endorsed.