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Jan 11, 2008 7:59 am US/Eastern
Wayne Gilchrest Meets Political Challengers
Reporting
Adam May
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Senator Harris is launching new attack ads this week painting Congressman Wayne Gilchrest and Senator E.J. Pipkin as liberals.
CBS
While waiting to speak with Eyewitness News, there was an uncomfortable chance encounter with a political challenger for Congressman Wayne Gilchrest. He's up against Eastern Shore State Senator EJ Pipkin.
"He's lost touch with the district," Pipkin said.
"There's only one conservative in the race. I'm the conservative," said Baltimore County Senator Andrew Harris said,
Harris is launching new attack ads this week painting Gilchrest and Pipkin as liberals.
"That's absolutely ridiculous," Pipkin said at the ad's accusation. "But, you know, it's part of the dishonest politicians that Andy Harris is showing he is."
That's Pipkin's theme. In his ad, he said, "Harris would give money meant for our kids to illegals. He's wrong and dishonest."
Immigration is one of the key issues in the district, which spans a huge area from Arnold to Perry Hall to Salisbury.
Gilchrest did vote for the bill that benefits agricultural workers, but says the interpretation is being skewed.
"It's a bizarre small sect of the Republican party that had an agenda that doesn't include good information, knowledge, competence. It's their agenda," Gilchrest said.
Gilchrest's ads take a defensive tone, saying his goal is "to stay away from petty politics and petty animosities, let the ballot box flow freely."
Later this week, Gilchrest is getting an endorsement from Newt Gingrich and he's making an appearance with former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.
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