Maryland Republicans picked James Pelura, a Davidsonville veterinarian, to head the state party as it reinvents itself in the wake of a bruising election.
“We are a group that will work together to present a positive message for Marylanders,” Pelura said in a statement. “I will work actively with our grassroots and legislative leaders to ensure that our party has renewed relevance and we return to the Statehouse.”
Pelura replaces John Kane, who announced his resignation shortly after the November election in which Republicans lost the governor?s office and a handful of seats in the General Assembly. Pelura did not respond to a request for an interview Sunday afternoon.
Pelura, a U.S. Air Force veteran, has lived in Davidsonville for more than 20 years. Pelura will become one of the few state party chairmen to hail from Anne Arundel County.
Pelura has been actively involved in the state Republican party. He oversaw Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s re-election campaign in Anne Arundel County, and served as the Maryland chairman for President George Bush?s 2004 re-election Pelura?s wife, Marianne, was the director of executive servicesin the governor?s office.
Pelura won the party?s nomination with a little more than 60 percent of the vote, according to Audra Miller, party spokeswoman. Annapolis businessman John White also was nominated but received just under 40 percent of the vote.
Republican delegates also elected Chris Cavey, chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, as first vice chairman; Chuck Gast, former chairman of the Anne Arundel County Republican Central Committee, as second vice chairman; and Michael Geppi, of Bel Air, third vice chairman.
