Schuh To Make County Executive Bid Official

UPDATED (5:26 p.m.)—Steve Schuh, a two-term Republican state delegate, is expected next week to announce intentions to run for Anne Arundel County Executive.

Schuh is expected to make the announcement during a May 2 event with Rep. Andy Harris at the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company in Severna Park.

In an interview Friday afternoon, Schuh said the announcement will be the culmination of nearly 18 months of work by an exploratory committee.

"We've met with a very high level of success," Schuh said of the exploratory committee but added that the final recommendation won't be announced until May 2.

"I'm on pins and needles," he said.

Schuh made known his interest in the position earlier this year. He was one of a number of interested candidates who sought to replace John Leopold who resigned after being convicted of two counts of criminal misconduct in office.

Speaking by phone Friday, Schuh said the campaign for county executive interests him because he wants to change the image of the county.

"For the last few years the county has been the laughing stock of the state," Schuh said. "I see a real opportunity to make this county a model for the state.

"I think Anne Arundel County is the most important jurisdiction in Maryland," Schuh said. "We have most of the state's important resources including NSA, Ft. Meade, BWI, the capital city and more miles of shoreline than probably any other jurisdiction in the country."

The Anne Arundel County Council selected Laura Neuman to succeed Leopold. It is not clear if Neuman intends to run in 2014. She has not filed nor created a campaign account as of April 26.

Schuh said Neuman's decision to run next year won't affect his own personal decision and said Anne Arundel County voters "give more credit to elected incumbents than they do appointed incumbents."

In January, Schuh, a restaurant owner from Pasadena, reported raising more than $500,000, according to the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections.

The amount far exceeds what would be needed for a re-election bid to his current seat.