Those who prevailed in their elections got to share in the spoils of lavish receptions and, of course, the grand swearing-in ceremony.
But there was one unexpected face in the crowd - Democrat Peter E. Perini Sr.
Perini, the Hagerstown man who ran a losing campaign against Del. Robert A. McKee, R-Washington, was in the House lounge just minutes before the ceremony. It's a coveted place reserved for lawmakers, their families, the media and invited guests.
"I'm just here wishing everybody well," Perini said. "It's going to be a tough year. You know the old saying, 'you might just get what you wished for.' Well, these guys got it."
The winners will be dealing with a $1.8 billion budget deficit.
Republican likely to fill Liquor Board opening
It looks like a vacancy on the Washington County Liquor Board will be filled by a Republican after all.
Democrats hoped to snag the appointment because the vacancy was created by the death of their own Donald Mellott.
But Republican Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. will get to appoint someone of his own party to fill the remaining four years of Mellott's term, said Mildred "Mickey" Myers, first vice president of the Washington County Republican Central Committee.
Republicans interested in the job should send a letter of interest and a short rsum to Republican Headquarters, P.O. Box 2875, Hagerstown, MD 21741. The deadline is Jan. 31, Myers said.
Board members collect an annual salary of $9,600, with the chairman receiving an extra $250.
For more information, call the central committee office at 301-739-2118.
Under state law, no more than two of the board members can be of the same party. Republican Robert Everhart's term expires in 2003 and Democrat William F. Dunham's term expires in 2005.
Dozen names given for Election Board slot
The Republican Central Committee has given Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich the names of 12 people interested in serving on the Washington County Election Board.
Ehrlich will choose two board members and one alternate from the list, said Mildred "Mickey" Myers, the central committee's first vice president.
Bartlett fights to stay on Ways and Means
Many delegates would consider a seat on the House Appropriations Committee to be a plum assignment, since that's where all the money decisions are made.
But not Del. Joseph R. Bartlett, R-Frederick.
House Speaker Michael E. Busch said when he drew up a preliminary list of committee assignments, he put conservative Republicans such as Bartlett on the committee to handle the cost-cutting they will face under a $1.8 billion deficit.
But Bartlett fought to be put back on Ways and Means.
Bartlett said he wanted to stay on Ways and Means, where he's spent four years learning the issues.
