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 superbjob 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.
