Will Pipkin Run?

Some First District Republicans are wondering (and many First District liberals are hoping) that Maryland Sen. E. J. Pipkin (R-36) will enter the race to challenge Maryland Sen. Andy Harris (R-7) for the GOP nomination to oust wounded Democrat incumbent Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD).  Fueling the fires of speculation is the Baltimore Sun’s Maryland Politics blog.

Personally, I think Pipkin is too smart to get into this fray.  Pipkin is a good guy.  He’s built a moderately conservative voting record.  He’s shown himself to be a proven vote getter in a moderate – moderate / conservative legislative district.  However, short of running the table, there is only a downside of entering this race.

• Pipkin must give up his Senate seat to run.  Two years ago, Pipkin was able to run and not have to give up his seat in the legislature.  That’s not the case now.
• Pipkin’s a pretty smart politician.  Nomination politics are a world apart from general election politics.  Given Harris’s conservative base, Pipkin knows that driving turnout in a primary is going to be tough.
• If Pipkin enters the primary, loses AND Harris loses the general, Pipkin has to bear some (or even a lion’s share) of the blame.  I’m not arguing that this would be warranted OR fair.  I’m simply stating what would happen.  Pipkin has shown that he’s ambitious.  IF he jumps in, there are many conservative activists (the people who knock doors and make phone calls in the GOP) that would never support him in a future run.

EJ Pipkin has a unique opportunity before him this year.  By staying out of the First District house race, and campaigning for Andy Harris, Pipkin can win the gratitude and support of conservatives throughout the district for a future run.  Jumping in is “make or break”.  Pipkin has proven himself to be relatively prudent as a legislator (although I don’t always agree with him).  I expect that he will be prudent in making his plans for 2010.  Making those plans public sooner, rather than later, will be best for Pipkin, and the GOP.

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League Holds Candidate Forum – Pipkin and Arminio Are No Shows

The League of Women Voters hosted a forum with candidates for the First District Congressional seat. The forum was held at Chesapeake College outside of Wye Mills, MD.

Conspicuously, two Republican candidates failed to show – Maryland Sen. E. J. Pipkin (R-36) and Joe Arminio.

One interesting feature of the forum was that ordinary citizens were permitted to ask questions directly. For those familiar with candidate forums in the Salisbury area (such as the PACE / Salisbury Chamber Forum) this is strictly taboo. The powers that be want to be able to filter the questions presented to candidates.

More on forum to follow.

cross posted on Salisbury News

Technorati Tags: 2008, Maryland, politics, marylandpolitics, AndyHarris, WayneGilchrist, EJPipkin

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Three Weeks to Go!

There are just over three weeks to go until Maryland’s primary. Republican voters in the First District will have an opportunity to cast their vote in one of the most hotly contested Congressional primaries of the year when they choose between Wayne Gilchrest, Andy Harris or E. J. Pipkin. You can read a detailed analysis of each campaign at the Campaign Edge.

The biggest question is – will voters be sufficiently informed as to who stands for what on immigration, taxation, fiscal restraint and the war to actually vote for the candidate who best reflects their views or will they be sufficiently confused to vote for the wrong guy … or not to vote at all?

cross posted at Salisbury News and Red Maryland

Technorati Tags: 2008, campaign, GOP, WayneGilchrest, AndyHarris, EJPipkin, immigration, fiscalpolicy, taxation, defense

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Where’s E. J. Pipkin?

NOTE: See Correction at end of post

Tuesday, my Red Maryland colleague Brian Griffiths reported that Congressional candidate, Maryland Sen. Andy Harris (R-7) was attending a fundraiser in New York while the Senate was having a night session. May be, but when Andy’s in Annapolis he seems to be pretty busy looking out for Maryland citizens.

Where’s that bastion of “who knows what” E. J. Pipken? To date Harris has introduced (or co-sponsored) nine pieces of legislation. Pipken – ZERO!

Now before the Harris bashers start whining that the bills are “meaningless”, let’s take a look at a few: Read more

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