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Elected Republicans support Gilchrest despite disagreements
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Related Topics: BALTIMORE
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U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, a Republican, has represented Maryland’s 1st Congressional District since 1991.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Two low-key fundraising events over the weekend gave some Republican officials a chance to declare their support for 1st District U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest’s bid to gain a 10th term, even though they may disagree with some of his views.
“Congressman Gilchrest is doing a good job,” said Del. Mary Roe Walkup, Kent County. “I don’t agree with him on every single thing,” but “that’s not a good reason to kick him out.”
Gilchrest’s opposition to President Bush and his handling of the Iraq war is particularly upsetting to many party conservatives, as is his long-standing support of abortion rights and other positions anathema to social conservatives.
For Walkup, those factors are overridden by Gilchrest’s honesty and experience. “You can’t beat that,” she said.
Queen Anne’s County Del. Richard Sossi, a Vietnam War veteran like Gilchrest, also is unhappy with Gilchrest’s change of heart on the war, but “I don’t have to agree with someone 100 percent,” Sossi said. “He has served this district very well,” even though once in a while, “he’ll support something that’s really odd.”
Walkup and Sossi emphasized that they liked the Republican challenging Gilchrest, state Sen. Andy Harris of Baltimore County, and his positions. But Sossi said he was “concerned” about the prospect of electing “a candidate from the Western Shore.” The 1st District includes all of the Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties.
Like other politicians, Anne Arundel County Council Member Cathy Vitale said Gilchrest has assisted her on issues affecting her constituents, and “Wayne has always supported me in my contested races.”
“I hope there’s going to be a healthy but positive debate,” she said. Vitale said she and others are “taking heat” from those strongly opposed to Gilchrest.
Del. Tony McConkey, R-Anne Arundel, said, “Wayne has been a big builder of the Republican Party. I feel bad that some of the newcomers don’t appreciate that.” McConkey said he supports Gilchrest “80 percent of the time” and that Harris is “trying to pretend there’s a bigger chasm than there is.”
Two of Gilchrest’s most prominent supporters turned out for a Friday night cookout in Severna Park. Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold repeated his own endorsement of the U.S. representative, whose support of Leopold in last year’s primary “meant a great deal.”
“He’s a person of conscience,” Leopold said. “His passion for the environment is well-known.”
Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Holt said, “We’ve got one of the greatest congressmen in Washington. It would be shortsighted if we didn’t recognize the superb job he’s doing.”
WHERE THEY STAND
Republican elected officials supporting Gilchrest or Harris:
» For U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest:
County Executive John Leopold; Delegates James King, Nic Kipke, Tony McConkey and Steve Schuh; Council Chairman Ron Dillon and Council Member Cathy Vitale; former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Holt, all Anne Arundel County.
Delegates Michael Smigiel, Cecil; Mary Roe Walkup, Kent; Richard Sossi, Queen Anne’s.
» For state Sen. Andy Harris:
Sens. Richard Colburn, Middle Shore; Janet Greenip and Bryan Simonaire, Anne Arundel; Robert Hooper, Harford; Lowell Stoltzfus, Lower Shore.
Delegates Ron George, Anne Arundel; Patrick McDonough, Baltimore County; Tony O’Donnell, Calvert.
llazarick@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:58 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 11, 2008 re: "Gilchrest is facing an uphill battle in retaining congressional seat"
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5:23 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 11, 2008
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4:43 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 11, 2008
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10:25 AM MST on Sun., Jul. 29, 2007
re: "Gilchrest: No 'problem with God'"
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5:53 PM MST on Sun., Jun. 3, 2007
re: "Gilchrest: No 'problem with God'"
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5:12 PM MST on Sun., Jun. 3, 2007
re: "Gilchrest: No 'problem with God'"
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8:31 PM MST on Sat., Jun. 2, 2007
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Examiner Reader said:
Gilchrest got Pipken into the race so the vote will be split and Gilchrest will squeek by Harris. Gilchrest needs to go but has outsmarted the voters.
82 agree | 69 disagree
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Jeff, an Independent said:
Who gets the vote? Is seems that Gilchrest, Pipken, and Harris have all been guilty of voting for raising taxes, amnesty for illegals, and pork spending at some time or another?
82 agree | 78 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Its time to rid Maryland of this pro-illegal supporter. It also looks like the clintons are on the same course. My My the chickens are finally coming home to roost. ITS TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE!!
78 agree | 58 disagree
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Mike from Severna Park said:
There is no military solution in Iraq. Our troops are in the middle of a bloody civil war. Bush has misled the country. The GOP's in congress are afraid to do what is right, to end the war in Iraq, because they are afraid of catching hell from home. Much like the invasion of Fallujah, a bloody campaign, took place days after the 2004 Prez. election. Sickening. One more thing: the "attorney from Balt." should learn how to spell a bit better if he is going to be successful in his profession. Or perhaps "excemption" really is a word.
177 agree | 169 disagree
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Baltimore Attorney said:
To all the people who disagreed with my post. Please explain why certain persons should not be given a good legal defense. Is there an alleged child abuser excemption in the Bill of Rights?
246 agree | 219 disagree
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1st Congressional voter said:
I am voting for Gilchrest because he is a leader. President Bush is ruining the Republican Party and it is nice to see someone that is not going to let him get away with it. President Busch’s policy on the Iraq war, Busch’s immigration plan, and Busch’s policy to spend money like a democrat is what’s hurting our party nation wide. Thank you Gilchrest for standing up to the president.
191 agree | 193 disagree
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Baltimore Attorney said:
I will never vote for Gilchrest and encourage everyone else to do the same. A few elections ago he ran ads attacking his opponent for working as a criminal defense attorney and defending people. Either the man doesn't understand the Constitution or he just likes cheap shots - or both.
354 agree | 226 disagree
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