Robert Banks, a former Ehrlich administration aide and Baltimore County Orphans Court judge, on Monday became the fourth Republican to challenge U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest in the 1st Congressional District.
“I believe voters are looking for a change,” said Banks, sales and marketing director with the Canton Group, a Baltimore information technology company. He said he thinks the district needs someone from the business community, rather than a long-term elected official.
Gilchrest is a nine-term congressman, and state Sen. Andy Harris, R-Baltimore-Harford, a Johns Hopkins anesthesiologist, is a leading contender for the seat.
“I don?t think he?s been a bad congressman by any stretch of the imagination,” Banks said. “If it?s not me, I hope you would see that the good congressman is re-elected.”
Banks said he would “support the nominee” of the party, including Harris.
Other Republicans in the race are John Leo Walter of Centreville and Joe Arminio of Arnold.
Harris? campaign manager, Chris Meekins, said: “The fact is that Republicans across the district are unhappy with Wayne Gilchrest?s record. That?s why so many people want to get in the race. As Andy has been campaigning, voters are embracing his message.”
Three Democrats are running for the seat, including Queen Anne?s County State?s Attorney Frank Kratovil, who raised $83,000 in the third quarter, almost matching Gilchrest in individual contributions. Harris raised $352,000 in the same period.
