By Nathan Carrick

Staff Writer

ROCKVILLE - Flanked by County Executive Isiah Leggett, three council members and at least a dozen supporters, Donald Praisner announced on the steps of the county office building in Rockville that he is running to finish the rest of his wife's term on the County Council.

"This is not easy for me," Praisner said just one month after his wife, Marilyn Praisner, passed away from complications following double valve replacement heart surgery. "I am taking the first step in fulfilling the legacy of my wife, Marilyn Praisner, by announcing my candidacy for the District 4 seat."

Marilyn Praisner (D) was the longest serving member of the County Council when she passed away Feb. 1 and had a reputation for her acute attention to detail and encyclopedic knowledge of county policy. Don Praisner, who served 33 years as a CIA analyst and manager, said he is not opposed to growth, but thinks there has to be infrastructure to support it.

Although he is joining a race with four other Democrats and two Republicans, none of the other candidates enjoy the support of so many top government officials.

"This is not a day we welcome, but it's a day we need, a person we need," Leggett said. "I stand firmly in support of Don Praisner. We have a champion here."

Steve Kanstoroom (D), Patrick Ryan (D), Cary Lamari (D) and Mark D. Fennel (R) have officially filed with the Board of Elections, but Board of Education president Nancy Navarro (D) and John McKinnis (R), a former candidate for state delegate, have also announced their intention to run.

Lamari, however, dropped out of the race and threw his support behind Praisner when he learned about Praisner's intention to run. He was at the press conference wearing a "Praisner" sticker on his lapel as Praisner announced his candidacy. "You have to consider what is in the best interest of this county," Lamari said. "I have nothing but respect and admiration for Mr. Praisner."

Other than Leggett, Council members Phil Andrews, Marc Elrich and Duchy Trachtenberg were there to support Praisner, and Roger Berliner sent a statement of support that Andrews read aloud because he couldn't be there in person.

"I think Don Praisner is the clear choice to fill this seat," Andrews said.

"I know Don and I know what he believes," Elrich said. "No one will do a better job of carrying on the work voters elected Marilyn to do."

Council President Mike Knapp said he doesn't generally endorse candidates in county races and doesn't plan to in this one.

Maryland State Delegate Charles Barkley (D-Dist. 39) also endorsed Praisner. "Don Praisner understands that when we work together as elected officials, it's as a team. In Rockville and in Annapolis, it's as a team."

Special elections for the District 4 seat will begin with primaries held on April 15 followed by a general election on May 13. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and residents of District 4 as of the day of the general election. The deadline for filing as a candidate is 5 p.m. on March 22. District 4 includes all or parts of Aspen Hill, Burtonsville, Calverton, Cloverly, Colesville, Derwood, Fairland, Olney, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring, Spencerville, Wheaton and White Oak.