At least two Republican delegates in Baltimore County said their party leader encouraged political newcomers to challenge them, indicating internal unrest in what is considered a voter battleground for the gubernatorial election.
District 5 Delegate Wade Kach said he wants to replace Chris Cavey, current chairman of the county?s GOP central committee, because he didn?t recruit Republican candidates for top spots like county executive until the last minute. Meanwhile, District 7 Delegate Pat McDonogh said he supports Kach because Cavey recruited Republicans to run against like-party incumbents.
“The chairman of the party was asking a serious candidate to enter the race against an all-incumbent Republican ticket,” McDonogh said. “Obviously that?s going to tick us off. We have Democrats to do that sort of thing.”
McDonogh said Cavey suggested attorney and now county council candidate Timothy Knepp and former delegate Kenneth Holt run for his all-Republican district. Knepp, Holt and Cavey denied the claim.
Cavey defended his leadership, including registering record numbers of new Republicans in 2005, exceeding fundraising goals and opening committee headquarters. Though they were friends, he said Kach remains bitter after he challenged him in 2002, and also reaffirmed his support for Republican incumbents.
He said he was “polite and excited” when Republican newcomers approached him about running.
“You do not build a party by running people away,” Cavey said. “The best incumbent protection is to do your job.”
Political observers say the mostly Democratic Baltimore County voters helped cinch Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s 2002 victory, giving him 61 percent of their support. With County Executive Jim Smith throwing his weight behind Baltimore Mayor Martin O?Malley, both Cavey and Kach say party unity is more important now than ever.
“We need to be well organized, oiled and ready to go,” Kach said. “We?re all fighting and working toward one goal.”
