Annapolis elects its first woman mayor;
                    Dougherty ousts incumbent in Frederick

                    From Staff And Wire Reports
                    Originally published November 7, 2001

                    Democrat Ellen O. Moyer defeated Republican and fellow City Council
                    member Herbert H. McMillan yesterday to become the next mayor of
                    Annapolis and the first woman to head the historic city.

                    Last night's unofficial totals showed that Moyer defeated McMillan by
                    taking about 55 percent of the vote - 4,102 to 3,404.

                    Meanwhile, in Frederick, businesswoman and Democrat Jennifer
                    Dougherty ousted two-term GOP incumbent James S. Grimes by a 60-40
                    margin in a mayoral race laced with scandal, and colored by accusations
                    of ethical lapses and inexperience.

                    Grimes, 60, railed against Dougherty, 40, as not having the credentials to
                    lead the town of 52,000 people. Dougherty portrayed Grimes, a trucking
                    magnate, as a secretive administrator bent more on enriching friends than
                    serving the public.

                    Dougherty delivered one of her sharpest jabs Monday after the city ethics
                    commission refused to reveal its decision on whether a Grimes campaign
                    ad violated ethics rules.

                    The ad featured city department heads praising Grimes' emergency
                    preparedness measures after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Dougherty
                    contended that it broke a law prohibiting city employees from politicking
                    while acting in their official capacities.

                    Grimes has weathered plenty of disputes. During his current term, the city
                    settled two federal civil rights lawsuits, lost a police chief who sent an
                    officer to spy on a critic, and went to court to fight the release of client
                    lists confiscated from an escort service that reportedly serviced public
                    figures.

                    Annapolis' mayor-elect, 65, who has served as the council representative
                    from Eastport, launched a well-financed and highly organized campaign
                    against McMillan, who knocked incumbent Mayor Dean L. Johnson out
                    of the race in the Sept. 11 primary.

                    Moyer thanked backers in a celebration last night at an Eastport
                    restaurant, where the crowd included included legislators, former mayors,
                    state officials and County Executive Janet S. Owens, who declared to
                    cheers, "Women rule in Anne Arundel County!"

                    Moyer, a retired lobbyist for the Maryland State Teachers Association,
                    easily beat four challengers in the Democratic primary, including former
                    Mayor Alfred A. Hopkins.

                    McMillan, who ousted incumbent Dean L. Johnson in the Republican
                    primary, conceded in a speech before friends, family and supporters in his
                    Hunt Meadow home, then went to Moyer's victory party to congratulate
                    her.

                    The 43-year-old Naval Academy graduate, airline pilot and Navy
                    Reserves commander promised to continue to "frame the debate" during
                    Moyer's term.

                    Meanwhile, four incumbents were returned to their seats on the city
                    council, which will maintain its 7-2 Democratic majority, and include three
                    African-Americans, the most minority members at once on the council.

                    Copyright © 2001, The Baltimore Sun