It's no secret I'm a big fan of Wayne Gilchrest. The Republican Congressman from Maryland is a great example of someone with whom I often agree, even though many staunch environmentalists mistakenly believe they should always turn left. He's a champion of oceans and leader in science policy. He serves as the Chairman on the Fisheries & Oceans Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus and House Coastal Caucus. Gilchrest had a central role in the passage of the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 and the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 2006. The nine-term Congressmen was defeated for renomination in the strongly Republican 1st District by Andy Harris.
From Congressional Quarterly:
Gilchrest's defeat will interrupt one of Congress' most unexpected political careers. He has long had one of the strongest claims among members to the title of citizen-politician. Gilchrest was a teacher who worked part-time painting houses to supplement his family's income, and once was a volunteer forest ranger. He said he filed to run for the House in 1988 on an impulse after hearing that the Republican Party was having trouble recruiting a candidate. He lost, but came close to upsetting Democratic Rep. Roy Dyson. Gilchrest then ran again in 1990 and easily won his rematch with Dyson.
Today is a sad day for oceans.
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"Sad day" is an understatement. The loss of Wayne in Congress is truly a tragedy.
I had posted a comment earlier today that there were actually Republicans who believed the Conservative and Conservation had similar meanings. I cited RepAmerica and Martha Marks.
It now seems that the Republican Party is going to purge all of those with common sense. Gilchrist gained by admiration (though I couldn't vote for him from California) when he stood up to the House Committee on Resources Chairman, Richard "use it all up quicker" Pombo and provided an alternative update of the Magnusson - Stevens act. Ultimate the power of the Chairman prevailed, especially after Pombo made some deal with Barney Frank that I could never understand.
Once more, ideology triumphs over common sense and wisdom.
Oh no!
This is indeed very troubling news. I have always admired Congressman Gilchrest (and I am a staunch Democrat)and, like Wes, considered him to be the prime example that there were thoughtful, conservation-minded public servants on both sides of the aisle. Alas, they are getting even thinner on the right side . . .
two items for the mill. Yesterday's Washington Post attributed his loss to a massive infusion of cash to his primary opponent from a Republican outfit called the Club for Growth. They apparently did a national internet fuunding campaign, and then started running attack adds. SO much for all politics being local. The Post went on to say that the Republicans seem oblivious to the fact that Gilcrest got 75% of the overall vote in the last election, and this could set up handing the seat to a Democrat in the general election - which wouldn't necessarily be bad. If that happened though, Gilcrest's seniroity would be lost in terms of committee appointments.
The other thing is that there are rumors of him running in the general as an independent. Keep you eyes peeled - he may yet need our support.
I hope that Cong. Gilchrest does run as an independent in the November race. Professionally, he has been a great advocate for oceans and other environmental matters, and personally he is just plain great (at least the few times that I've met him, and from what friends who worked in his office have told me).