“Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier.”
– Susan Rabin
Never let it be said that incumbent state Sen. John Giannetti had an uneventful freshman term – whether it’s his questionable decision to serve alcohol at a university tailgate, little hidden spats with state delegates or his frenzy of activity in the state legislature. His gaffes have resulted in easy campaign fodder for his challenger and former regent Jim Rosapepe. Some of his mistakes have been from inexperience or bad judgment. But considering the sum of his record, it’s clear that the overriding story is that District 21 has benefited from a senator who isn’t afraid to fight for what is right and has a certain maverick disdain for convention. As a result, The Diamondback endorses John Giannetti for re-election.
Most importantly for students, Giannetti has not taken the university for granted. In 2005, he secured funding from Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich for lighting fixtures to be installed around roads along the campus. He has been active on university grounds, throwing tailgates and attending student association meetings. He has also been a strong proponent of the establishment of a College Park police force to address safety. And Giannetti has not been here entirely for his own political health – students accounted for a piffling 10 votes in the last Democratic primary. Despite this, he has shown himself to be receptive to student concerns.
It is this responsiveness that truly distinguishes Giannetti from Rosapepe, who has been a proponent of a tuition freeze and historically has supported higher education funding. But to extend this to considering Rosapepe a champion of student hopes would be a stretch. In a Board of Regents meeting last year, Rosapepe presented a motion requesting a re-evaluation of the university’s riot policy because students who received probation before judgment would not receive punishment.
Giannetti has not always acted with the utmost dignity and grace of an elder statesman, and he has a lot to work on if he earns re-election. He must patch up relationships with the state delegates in the district and work together with them. He must enter a greater leadership role in higher education legislation in Annapolis. He must minimize the embarrassing, sloppy mistakes we have seen – including showing up late to a debate and overstating his campaign finance numbers. But what you see is what you get – a talented and energetic senator who, despite often getting in trouble for his exuberance, has the interests of his constituents at heart and will defend the student population.
Our View: Incumbent Sen. John Giannetti has had an unusually energetic freshman term in Annapolis and deserves re-election.
