Gilchrest crosses party lines to support Kratovil

By Sarah Lake

Editor-in-chief

Defeated incumbent Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, R-1, crossed party lines last Tuesday when he officially endorsed Democrat Frank Kratovil in the First District Congressional Race.

"For the 18 years I have been honored to represent the First District in Congress, I have always tried to make decisions based on principle rather than partisanship or politics. This decision is no different," Gilchrest said at a press conference in Annapolis. "I respect and admire Frank’s integrity and independence. I know he’ll be willing to work across party lines for the best interests of this district."

Gilchrest and Kratovil toured the first district last Tuesday, making stops in Annapolis, Salisbury and Easton. The following day, they traveled to Cecil County.

Kratovil, a two-term state’s attorney for Queen Anne’s County, is running against State Senator Andy Harris, R-7, who defeated Gilchrest in the Republican primary by 10 percentage points.

Throughout his initial campaign, Harris, a Western Shore resident, launched several attacks on Gilchrest, labeling him a "dirty trickster" and accusing him of not being a "real republican."

Gilchrest insists that his endorsement of Kratovil has nothing to do with Harris’ campaign. "A campaign is a campaign," Gilchrest said in a phone interview on Friday. "Being charged with all of these negative accusations is quite mildly amusing.

"I simply view Frank Kratovil as someone who is very competent, who has integrity and an independent mind. I strongly feel he would represent the people of the first district very well."

In a statement released by Chris Meekins, Harris’ campaign manager, Meekins criticized the endorsement, stating that Andy Harris represents a change and Frank Kratovil "obviously" represents more of the same. "Voters want a change from the failed policies of Congress of raising taxes, increasing wasteful spending and failing to solve our energy crisis."

Maryland Republican Party chairman Jim Pelura labeled the endorsement as a betrayal to Gilchrest’s Republican supporters. "While Congressman Gilchrest’s action is certainly not a surprise to us, it is still disappointing," he said in a statement released on Tuesday.

"It’s a matter of which comes first: your country or a political party that has drifted into dysfunction," Gilchrest said. "Eisenhower, Goldwater and Reagan would not be accepted into this Republican Party."

Currently, Kratovil trails Harris in campaign funding and polling figures. In Gilchrest’s opinion, Kratovil needs to do three things to defeat Harris.

First, Kratovil needs to make himself more prominent at events on the Eastern Shore. According to Gilchrest, the state’s attorney attends events, but he does not get much press coverage.

Second, he needs to talk more about Harris’ "extreme" voting record. "As a doctor, Harris has voted against cancer screenings for senior citizens as well as a number of other health care issues that would benefit a lot of people," Gilchrest said. "He has made a number of votes in the state legislature that would hurt Eastern Shore agriculture, education and small business. Most prominently, Harris has voted against every program that would help the Chesapeake Bay."

Lastly, Kratovil needs to rally his supporters. "They should be more active in every corner of the district with phone calls, flyers and fundraisers," Gilchrest said. "Frank can’t do this by himself. His supporters need to be energized."

If Kratovil loses the November election to Harris, Gilchrest said, the Eastern Shore will greatly suffer. "The bay will suffer and we’ll see a decline in land for agriculture and much more for development."

Also, he said, the voice of the people on the Eastern Shore will not be heard in the halls of Congress. "Their voice for innovation, moderation and progress will not be heard. The farmer, the waterman, the small business owner, the school teacher, the senior citizen who depends on social security – their voices will not be heard in Washington."

"I am deeply honored to have the support and backing of Congressman Gilchrest. For 18 years he has represented the people of the Eastern Shore with his own brand of common sense leadership, always putting the people before the party," Kratovil said at the Annapolis press conference. "The challenges we face today – from the health of the Chesapeake Bay to our reliance on foreign oil to our out-of-control budget deficits – require more than just the same tired partisan arguments. They require more leaders who can work across party lines to achieve real results, just as Wayne has done for so long in Washington."

To learn more about Frank Kratovil and to view a new television ad featuring Gilchrest, visit his Web site at www.kratovil.com.

Comments/Opinions (0)

Search issues | Publication schedule | Contribute your ideas to the Flyer | Advertise with us | RSS feed

Guerrieri University Center Room 215

410-543-6191