Pelura to step down in November
In a move timed to coincide with the Maryland Republican Party’s fall convention, Party Chair Jim Pelura announced yesterday that he would step down as of November 14. The press release follows:
Dr. James Pelura, Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, has submitted his resignation effective November 14, 2009. In accordance with the Maryland Republican Party Bylaws, First Vice Chairman Chris Cavey will facilitate the transition for the period until November 14th.
A Nominating Committee has been formed with Montgomery County Central Committee Chairman Mark Uncapher as Chairman and he will follow the nominating process in accordance with our Bylaws.
In a letter to “Republican Leaders” Jim stated he was resigning “for personal and professional reasons” and also noted:
My tenure as your Chairman has at times been trying; however, our steady rebuilding of the grassroots has been very rewarding. For the first time in years, the Maryland Republican Party has asserted itself as the spokesman and the standard-bearer of the Republican philosophy.
I am firmly convinced that a new dialogue has been started with my Chairmanship and it is my hope that this dialogue will continue.
Much of the controversy about Pelura’s tenure stemmed from a perceived lack of fundraising prowess and continual bickering between three separate wings of the Maryland GOP: those who backed former Governor Ehrlich and saw the party as a vessel for his return to elective office, members of the General Assembly who wanted the party apparatus for their ends, and conservative activists at the local level who felt ignored, particularly those representing rural Maryland. It was a balancing act difficult to accomplish in good times, let alone a poor electoral cycle as 2006-08 was.
The dialogue Dr. Pelura started was one of actually listening and paying attention to the smaller counties. After all, they are the areas of Maryland which actually vote Republican. Granted, there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to ending Democrat dominance statewide but certainly those running on the other side in stronger GOP areas have found they need to move rightward to compete – case in point Frank Kratovil’s Congressional campaign in 2008. (It doesn’t matter that they’re reliably liberal votes once they win – they’re counting on voters to believe the promises and not look at the record.)
So, now that Pelura is gone, it’s not unrealistic to expect 2011 to dawn with Republicans in all the statewide offices, a sweep leaving poor old Ben Cardin as the lone Democrat in the state’s Congressional delegation, and unprecedented 141-0 and 47-0 margins in the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate respectively, right? After all, wasn’t Jim Pelura the sole source of the problems?
Look for a number of people to step out of the woodwork now and claim to have all the answers to the woes of the Maryland GOP. It will make for an interesting and newsworthy convention in November, and the coalition building will begin immediately for those who wish to succeed Jim.
For Republicans in Maryland, 2009 just became a campaign year.
McDermott joins the fold
Yeah, this was pretty much the worst-kept secret on the Eastern Shore. But I do see a possible scoop in the release – let’s see if you catch it.
Pocomoke City Mayor, Mike McDermott, will formally announce his candidacy for the Maryland State Legislature at an old-fashioned Eastern Shore BBQ in Snow Hill on Saturday, October 3, 2009.
McDermott, a two-term Mayor of Pocomoke City, will run for the position of State Delegate representing District 38B, which includes all of Worcester County and a major section of Wicomico County.
Mayor McDermott stated, “The anticipated announcement that Michael James will face off against Jim Mathias for Senator Lowell Stoltzfus’ seat means that there will be an open Delegate seat.” The Mayor continued, “I believe that there is a real need in Annapolis for a common sense, Eastern Shore voice. Each year, we sacrifice more freedom, pay more taxes and endure greater governmental control over our daily lives. I am running for State Delegate because I believe we deserve better, and I believe Maryland deserves better.”
Mayor McDermott’s old-fashioned Eastern Shore BBQ will be at Sturgis Park Pavilion along the Pocomoke River in Snow Hill on Saturday, October 3rd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a pig roast, pulled chicken and fun for the entire family. More information is available at www.electmikemcdermott.com.
Mike began his political career in Pocomoke City where he witnessed partisan politics block common sense ideas, resulting in high taxes and misplaced priorities. Mike stated “Frankly, our community lacked planning and vision for a better tomorrow.” He continued, “In 2004, my friends and family encouraged me to get involved. So I ran for Mayor.”
In just five years as Mayor of Pocomoke City, McDermott has overseen a reduction in corporate and residential taxes, increased the number of jobs and cut crime; and at the same time, improved city services. This past June, Pocomoke City was named an “All-American City Finalist.” “I am most proud that all of this was done with the support of the entire community, including Republicans, Independents and Democrats. I would now like to bring this common sense approach to Annapolis,” said McDermott.
Prior to becoming Mayor, Mike McDermott managed the family poultry farm in nearby Willards and was the Snow Hill Chief of Police. Mike is currently the Commander of the Investigative Division of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. He has been recognized on numerous occasions for his management style, heroism and actions taken above and beyond the call of duty.
Mike and his wife, Laura, have been married for 27 years and have two adult children. Their son, Nate, will be commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army next May, and their daughter, Amanda, attends Salisbury University.
Mike enjoys the outdoors, fishing and hunting, as well as landscape projects around the house.
I think Laura is going to have quite the long “honey-do” list stacked up over the next year or so.
But we were told that Mike was running for something back in February, it was just a matter of what. And while Mathias had been rumored to be thinking about moving up to the Senate, once longtime Senator Lowell Stoltzfus announced his retirement perhaps it sent the signal to Mathias that he would have an easier road against a candidate he defeated in a four-way race for Delegate in his first run four years ago.
But if Mathias moves up it does leave an open seat and the more vulnerable (based on electoral results) Democrat clinging to the other seat in Norm Conway. And while Conway can point to his leadership on the state’s appropriations committee, his liberal voting record in a conservative district and overall distrust of Democrats coupled with another strong Republican challenger could make District 38B a two-seat pickup for the Maryland GOP.
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