Comptroller

Incumbent: Democrat William Donald Schaefer, a former mayor of Baltimore and governor of the state, has been the comptroller since 1998.

Republican Challengers: The ballot includes Stephen Abrams, a lobbyist for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee; political newcomer Anne McCarthy, former dean of the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business; Mark Spradley, executive vice president of a private equity fund; and Gene Zarwell, who says he's the CEO or CFO of about 15 companies around the world.

Endorsement: Mark Spradley

Stephen Abrams is not running what we'd consider an endorsement-worthy campaign--he told a CP reporter that he's running "just to be there in the event that there is an open seat." In other words, in case Schaefer loses the primary to one of his Democratic opponents and the Republicans need a potential warm body to support Ehrlich on the Board of Public Works. Anne McCarthy is out of her league in this race--she lacks the expertise for the office. Zarwell is battier than Schaefer. That leaves us with Spradley, who has some good ideas--using the comptroller's office to help families send their kids to college, for example--and a background in financial management, which gives him some point of reference to do the job. Republicans, if you want to throw your lot in with the best of the bunch, vote Spradley.

See "Comptroller for Life," Campaign Beat, Aug. 9; City Paper Election Guide, Sept. 9.