You can say this about Ross Z. Pierpont - he isn't one to give up easily.
Having sought election to local, state and federal offices in Maryland 13 times over the past 32 years - and having been defeated 13 times - the retired surgeon from Baltimore County is hitting the campaign trail once again in a bid for a U.S. Senate seat.
"I wasn't going to do anything this time, but this election is too important," said Pierpont, 80, a Republican.
It's too important this time, he said, because the nation is teetering on a governmental crisis. He cited the problems facing President Clinton and the 1994 gubernatorial election, which Pierpont maintains was "stolen" by the Democrats from GOP candidate Ellen R. Sauerbrey.
"The Democrats have become irresponsible," he said.
Pierpont is among 10 Republicans seeking the party's nomination to the Senate seat held by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md. Mikulski faces three Democrats in her party's primary election.