Jan 30, 2008 6:29 pm US/Eastern
First District Congressional Race Heats Up
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
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A political showdown pits a nine-term Maryland Republican congressman against two veteran state lawmakers.
CBS
A political showdown pits a nine-term Maryland Republican congressman against two veteran state lawmakers. They're fighting for the first congressional seat, a district covering the entire Eastern Shore and parts of Baltimore, Harford and Anne Arundel counties.
Mike Hellgren has more on the battle, the issues and the candidates.
The two high-profile state senators, EJ Pipkin and Andy Harris, are going all out, hitting the airwaves in an aggressive campaign to unseat incumbent Representative Wayne Gilchrest for the Republican nomination.
Three veteran Maryland lawmakers are fighting for every vote to represent thousands of Marylanders in Washington.
The challengers believe this race is tight.
"This is going to be a race to the end," Pipkin said.
"Our polling indicates this will be a neck-and-neck race," Harris said.
Tough TV ads reveal an aggressive battle.
"It's no surprise [they're resorting to] negative campaigns," Gilchrest said.
But if incumbent Wayne Gilchrest--who beat his Democratic party opponent more than two to one in the last election--is worried, he's not showing it.
"We've had serious challengers in the past. A campaign is a campaign is a campaign," he said.
Top issues include immigration, the economy and Iraq.
"People look to Washington to secure our borders. They don't want amnesty for illegal aliens," Pipkin said.
"We've got to cut taxes. We've also got to roll back the spending that's just been out of control both in the state and the federal government," Harris said.
"If your constituents see you as competent and informed and having integrity, then you'll get re-elected," Gilchrest said.
The district is solidly Republican. A Democrat hasn't won here since Gilchrest took the seat in 1991, making the Republican primary critical.
Pipkin is endorsed by State Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley, Harris has former Governor Robert Ehrlich in his corner and those endorsing Gilchrest include former Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele and President Bush.
The president's involvement shows just how important this race is at a national level, with the party hoping to regain power in the House.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is also backing Gilchrest.
The primary is Feb. 12.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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