FOP Endorses Challenger in Calvert Sheriff's Race

PRINCE FREDERICK ---  The Calvert FOP Lodge announced on Friday that after a candidates forum held on Sept. 25th, that a strong majority of the lodge voted to endorse Democratic candidate Joseph C. McKenny over incumbent GOP Sheriff Mike Evans.   The lodge also reports that the members selected Greg Wells for States Attorney.

In St. Mary's, the FOP voted to endorse retired Lt. Tim Cameron over Sheriff David Zylak.  Zylak's four-year term has been marked by annual attempts to have the county give his wife a raise, a sudden proposal 3 weeks after he was elected in 2002 to have the county approve the appointment of a major and five captains, and increasing crime, gang violence, tripling in the rate of rapes and bar brawls leading to several murders.

Zylak was almost beaten in the Democratic primary by a weak challenger who barely mounted a campaign.

Evans won in 2002 over Sheriff Rodney Bartlett, who this year, switched to Republican and lost again to Evans in the GOP primary.  Evans is the son of the retired Circuit Court Clerk Audrey Evans, who's popularity was able to carry her son into office but may not have the same magic this year as Calvert continues to see increases in robberies, burglaries and drug trafficking.

Evans has been enjoying success in many areas of law enforcement such as enhanced speed enforcement and DWI efforts as a result of major increases in highway fatality rates.

Most incumbent Sheriffs have trouble winning the support of the FOP after holding office due to the difficulty in being popular with those the sheriff must supervise and discipline.

The FOP in Charles County recently threw out their secret ballots and refused to report by what margin Rex Coffey was endorsed over Sheriff Fred Davis.

In St. Mary's the FOP also endorsed Senator Roy Dyson's reelection bid over St. Mary's Commissioner President Tommy "Hambone" McKay.