Personnel news: Democratic strategist carousel, Maryland PIRG seeks new leader

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater (D). Photo by Bryan P. Sears.

The carousel for smart, sought-after Democratic strategists in Maryland continues turning.

Fresh off his stint guiding state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel) to victory in the 3rd District Democratic congressional primary last month, Pat Murray, one of the most seasoned Democratic strategists in the state, is on the move again — though it’s something of a “Back to the Future” situation.

Murray started last week as chief of staff to Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater (D), replacing Chelsea Kadish, an attorney who had served as Fitzwater’s top staffer since the county executive took office in December 2022. But it’s a homecoming for Murray, who was a senior adviser to Fitzwater until becoming Elfreth’s campaign manager just before last Thanksgiving.

Murray has also worked as chief of staff to Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D) and the late state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D), was a top staffer to the late state House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D) and has held several other campaign, government and lobbying jobs.

Coincidentally, Elfreth and Fitzwater were classmates back in 2013 in the 21-member inaugural class of Emerge Maryland, which recruits and trains Democratic women to run for political office. Other alumnae from that group include Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D), Del. Bernice Mireku-North (D-Montgomery) and Prince George’s County Council Member Wala Blegay (D).

Murray is being replaced as campaign manager to Elfreth by Joe Bowen, who just finished a stint as communications director to U.S. Rep. David Trone’s Senate campaign. Bowen has worked on campaigns for a variety of national Democratic figures, including former President Barack Obama, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) in his campaign against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

Now that she’s gotten through a highly competitive 22-candidate Democratic primary, Elfreth is the strong favorite in the November general election to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-3rd). So Bowen’s job is different from Murray’s in significant ways.

Meanwhile, another Democratic operative with a few stops in Maryland has landed a gig as the new communications director to Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D). Brandon Stoneburg takes over for Madeline Pawlak, who left earlier this year to do communications work in Nevada for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.

Stoneburg comes to the State House from the office of outgoing Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby (D). He has also been communications director for the Maryland Democratic Party and was chief of staff for Del. Anne Healey (D-Prince George’s). He’s also a former sports reporter.

Stoneburg joins the lieutenant governor’s staff right after the arrival of her new chief of staff , Geri Royale Byrd.

“Brandon and Geri will be incredible assets to my office and to the state we serve,” Miller said in a statement. “They bring a dynamic resume of experience and a fresh perspective, and I’m so excited to have them on our team as we start this new chapter.”

Maryland PIRG’s longtime director is leaving

The Maryland Public Interest Research Group, the environmental and political reform advocacy organization, is searching for a new executive director for the first time in 11 years. Emily Scarr, who has helmed the organization since 2013 — and has worked for other PIRGs around the country dating back to 2005 — is stepping down from her full-time job but is expected to continue doing consulting work for PIRG and other organizations.

“Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to advancing the public interest and to transpartisan social change, as well as a track-record of leadership,” the posting for the executive director job says.

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