A former Republican Congressman, the state Attorney General and a freedom fighter walk into a room…and express their support for Gay Marriage.
The former Republican congressman is Wayne Gilchrest who respresented the first congressional district in Maryland until January, having lose the Republican primary to Baltimore/Harford Senator Andy Harris (R-Dist. 7). Gilchrest joined Attorney General Doug Gansler (D) and Travis Britt, the widow of Prince George’s County Sen. Gwendolyn t. Britt (D-Dist. 47).
Proponents tell The Baltimore Sun that the bill allowing civil unions in the state, will more than likely not pass.
Wayne Cilchrest until January 3 tells WBAL-TV (Channel 11) that he is happy to retire after being the Republican Congressman from the First Congressional District for 18 years. He is looking at his options, including plans to go canoeing.
Video from WBAL-TV (Channel 11) who has no affiliation with Maryland Politics Today.
It is now a family affair in the postscript of the recent election. Keving Gilchrest, a school teacher in Chestertown and son of U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Dist. 1) has a few choice words for not only former Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R) but for the Maryland GOP in general.
In a letter published by The Baltimore Sun, Gilchrest blames Ehrlich for helping Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D) take the 1st Congressional seat from Republican hands. In the first paragraph of his letter, the younger Gilchrest wrote, “The idea of a Kratovil victory was treated as a joke by his opponent, Sen. Andy Harris, during the campaign. Kratovil’s victory, though, which included a sweep of all nine Eastern Shore counties, is glaring evidence of the utter and complete dysfunction of the Republican Party in the state of Maryland.”
Kevin Gilchrest adds that Ehrlich’s motivation of defeating his dad and trying to put a strong ally in the first should he decide to run for governor again, were ego-centric and delivered the First District on a silver platter.
Outgoing U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Dist. 1) is raching across party lines one event at a time…or pissing off his party members one at a time depending on your world view.
PolitickerMD.com reporting that Gilchrest at an award ceremony recently admitted that he voted for Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) in the last election. He also expressed his displeasure with President Bush, “That young person doesn’t care about politics or party and people who are young should not be sent to war because old men lie.”
Gilchrest was in naptown to accept an award from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.
We learn from The Baltimore Sun that outgoing U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Dist. 1) has kicked bi-partisanship up a notch by saying on WYPR (88.1FM) that he strongly support the presidential ticket of (wait for it) Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Delaware Senator Joe Biden.
This is not the first time Gilchrest has jumped to the Democratic side, earlier this month, he was in a television ad giving his stamp of approval to Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D) as his successor.
A spokesman for the congressional campaign of Baltimore/Harford Sen. Andy Harris (R-Dist. 7) says that Gilchrest’s comments during the radio interview shows he no longer represents the values of the first. Harris defeated Gilchrest in the primary back in February. This might be another occasion for sour grapes on Gilchrest’s part, keep in mind many do not view him as conservative enough, despite the backing of popular conservatives like Newt Gingrich.
U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R) has crossed party lines to endorse Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D) as his successor as congressman for the first congressional district.
Gilchrest lost the primary to Baltimore/Harford Sen. Andy Harris (R-Dist. 7), making this the last term of his 18 year career on Capitol Hill. Gilchrest said of Kratovil that he will continue the moderate tradition of Maryland’s Eastern Shore adding that he admires his integrity and independence.
U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Dist. 1) held two fundraising events this past weekend. The events in Severna Park, Anne Arundel County and Chestertown, Queen Anne’s County, nabbed several endorsements and nearly $20,000.
The event in Severna Park happened Friday Night at the home for former Congresswoman Marjorie Holt and co-hosted by Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold. It was sponsored by Anne Arundel County Council President Ron Dillon, County Councilwoman Cathy Vitale (R-Dist. 5) and Del. Tony McConkey (Dist. 33A).
The Queen Anne’s affair was hosted the following night at the home of Dr. Henry Sears. Dels. Richard Sossi, Mary Roe Walkup, and Mike Smigiel (All Dist. 36) were in attendance.
It looks like U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Dist. 1) is ready to catch up to his challenger State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Dist. 7) as far as totals for the next quarter. Gilchrest already has more cash on hand than Harris, but one cannot have enough of it since this is starting to become one of the most watched campaign’s in the state.
With that in mind, Team Gilchrest 08 announced that Dr. Henry Sears of Chino Farms will be hosting a fundraiser for Gilchrest at his Northern Queen Anne’s County home along the Chester River in Chestertown. For those wondering if I am off in geography, Chestertown is similar to Laurel, only it’s in two counties and the incorporated part is in Kent County.
The festivities will run from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. More information or tickets can be obtained through the Gilchrest campaign office at (410) 778-1573.
Although Gilchrest does not have the blessing of former Governor Robert Ehrlich (R) (which went to his competitor Harris,) he does have the blessings of Harford County Executive David Craig (R), Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold (R), Del. James King (R-Dist. 33A), Delegate Tony McConkey (R-Dist. 33A), Delegate Steve Schuh (R-Dist. 31), and Delegate Nic Kipke (R-Dist. 31), Anne Arundel County Council Chairman Ron Dillion (R-Dist. 3) and Vice-Chairperson Cathy Vitale (R-Dist. 5).
Gilchrest will also introduce the attendees to honorary upper shore leadership team which includes members of delegate side of Team 36 Del. Richard Sossi (R), Del. Mike Smigiel (R) and Del. Mary Roe Walkup (R)
Word from the campaign of State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Dist. 7) is that he out paced his opponent U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R) in the early stages of this contest. Harris is seeking to unseat the nine-term congressman in the Republican Primary for the First Congressional District seat.
Their campaign has raised nearly $175,000 in total contributions with about $158,000 on hand according to it’s filing with the FEC. The Harris 2008 campaign only has $2,000 in outstanding debt.
Harris said that their fundraising total is proof that people in the First realize how much Gilchrest has changed since he was elected 17 years ago. Harris adds that Washington had changed him and that voters in the district want a consistent conservative leader representing him in congress which is what he is offering.
According to The Examiner, Gilchrest raised only $90,000, but he has more cash on hand. His campaign is reporting about $352,000 in the coffers.
Former Governor Robert Ehrlich (R) has picked his man to be the Republican nominee for the 1st Congressional Seat. This is the seat that represents the Eastern Shore as well as some parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford Counties.
Ehrlich is backing State Senator Andrew Harris (R-Dist.7) over current seat holder Rep. Wayne Gilchrist (R), who The Washington Times noted testified against Ehrlich’s slots proposal shortly after winning re-election.
A spokesman for Gilchrest’s office said that Ehrlich should tread lightly while endorsing. He also wonders why Ehrlich is getting involved in a campaign against the longtime Congressman who “always pulled better numbers than him on the Shore.”
I think I can answer that one in two words, Martin O’Malley (D). Earlier this month, the Governor endorsed Queen Anne’s County States Attorney Frank Kratovil (D).
Let’s say Gilchrest loses and the 1st District becomes wide open between Harris and Kratovil. At that point, you are looking at in my guess-timation Ehrlich-O’Malley II, which Governor can sway voters the best. This time, there is an even playing field because the Democrats on Capitol Hill botched forcing the troops out of Iraq, while the Republicans equally botched the years leading up to them losing the House and the Senate.
U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Dist.1) has announced that he will seek a 10th term on Capitol HIll next year.
WBOC-TV (Channel 16) says he has not announced his re-election formally, but he confirmed that he is definitely in the running, and undaunted by challengers inside or outside the party.
Two people announced that they would be seeking the congressional seat, State Sen. Andrew Harris (R-Dist. 7) and Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D). Gilchrest handily won re-election last year over Jim Corwin (D), an Anne Arundel County doctor. Congressional District One covers the Eastern Shore and the eastern section of Central Maryland.
Kratovil announced his candidacy yesterday with a bang, Governor Martin O’Malley (D) is already endorsing him. The Baltimore Examiner said that Kratovil emphasized his opposition to illegal immigration and criticized Gilchrest’s initial vote to support the war in Ira, while opposing attempts to create a time line for withdrawal. Talk about a centrist. Also running for the democratic nod, Cambridge lawyer Christopher Robinson, who lost the 2006 primary.
Word from the campaign of State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Dist. 7) is that he out paced his opponent U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R) in the early stages of this contest. Harris is seeking to unseat the nine-term congressman in the Republican Primary for the First Congressional District seat.