Gang of 9: Reloaded — Annapolis Locks In 100% Democratic Rule

73% landslide for Littmann, zero GOP council seats. Taxpayers ask: here comes the spending spree?

By Michael Phillips | MdBayNews

Annapolis voters just delivered an electoral sweep that looks less like a municipal election and more like a political rerun: a carbon copy of the one-party rule that scorched taxpayers last term.
With Jared Littmann capturing the mayor’s office in a 73% landslide and Democrats securing all eight City Council seats, the city heads into December with a monochrome council, no internal opposition, and no guardrails on spending, regulation, or oversight.

The question now screaming: Did Annapolis just reinstall a new “Gang of 9”—and what does four more years of unchecked power look like?

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The Results: Landslide at the Top, Wipeout Down-Ballot

Littmann, a former alderman and co-owner of ACE Hardware, took 6,792 votes (73.32%), swamping Republican challenger Robert O’Shea, who finished at 26.35%.
But the real story is the citywide sweep: Democrats won every single council seat, replicating the political architecture that defined Annapolis earlier this decade.

One GOP organizer offered a blunt postmortem:

“We raised $12,000. Littmann hit over $250K. You can’t fight city hall with bake sales.”

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A Mandate—or a Warning Sign?

Not everyone sees cause for alarm.
Mayor-elect Littmann stated the outcome reflects voter trust in “steady, progressive leadership.”
His transition team pointed to a 15% drop in violent crime since 2021 and $22 million in new flood-mitigation grants to argue that the system is working.

But among right-leaning voters, business owners, and longtime residents, the fear is déjà vu.

A Market House vendor described it more plainly:

“Last time they ‘re-imagined’ parking, my delivery guy got three tickets in a week.”

Turnout was low.
Opposition was underfunded.
And with no alternative slate catching fire, Annapolis slipped back into the echo-chamber legislature many believe already struggled with transparency, fiscal restraint, and balance.

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Five Risks of a Rubber-Stamp Regime

With a single-party bloc holding every lever of city government, critics expect several challenges to return—quickly.

1. Spending With No Brake Pedal

Annapolis’ proposed FY2025 budget sits around $148 million—18% higher than 2021, the last time the original “Gang of 9” held full control.
Without opposing votes, spending growth will depend entirely on the same self-restraint that was already proven paper-thin.

2. Climate Mandates on Overdrive

Expect accelerated building codes, new emissions-oriented restrictions, and “green” zoning reforms that could raise costs for homeowners and small contractors.

3. Small Businesses Brace for Permit & Fee Squeeze

Littmann once battled city red tape as a merchant.
Now he will face pressure from his political allies to fast-track “climate-ready” rules.
Local contractors say the last update added $3,500 to $5,000 per residential permit—and without a GOP seat in the chamber, nobody will negotiate relief.

4. Public Safety Re-Imagining

Annapolis’ police force continues to face staffing shortages, recruitment challenges, and morale issues. Critics expect more “alternative enforcement” programs and fewer traditional policing initiatives.

5. Oversight Collapses Into an Echo Chamber

With no minority caucus, watchdog work evaporates.
Budget debates often become formalities, not genuine scrutiny.

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Why Republicans Failed to Break Through

Beyond the city’s blue tilt, several structural problems hobbled GOP candidates:

• huge fundraising deficit
• weak city-level organization
• messaging failures on cost-of-living issues
• lack of a broad coalition strategy

The result: a wipeout that had more to do with infrastructure than ideology.

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What Annapolis Should Watch Next

As the new government is sworn in on December 1, residents should track five simple questions:

1. Do taxes and fees rise again?
2. Do climate mandates push housing and renovation costs up?
3. Do small businesses get relief—or tighter restrictions?
4. Does the city maintain the reported drop in violent crime?
5. Does transparency improve—or contract—under unanimous control?

The rubber-stamp regime begins its first meeting on December 8.
After that, the playbook is entirely up to them.