Steele to raise money for Arundel candidate
Maryland House of Delegates candidate Cathleen M. Vitale says Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele will attend a fundraiser for her next week in Severna Park.
The outspoken GOP leader -- who most recently stoked controversy by saying the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan was "a war of Obama's choosing" -- has made few public campaign stops in Maryland this year.
Along with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Steele headlined the annual Maryland Republican Party fundraiser in Linthicum, but the onetime lieutenant governor hasn't played a prominent role in former partner Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s new gubernatorial bid. The RNC did not make Steele available to comment last week when former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed Ehrlich's main Republican opponent, Brian Murphy, in the GOP primary.
Vitale, a Republican member of the Anne Arundel County Council, attributed the chairman's support to their longtime friendship. Before Steele was Ehrlich's lieutenant governor, he was chairman of the state GOP.
“I'm honored to have received the support of Chairman Steele and excited about the opportunity to have him visit our area. I first met Michael when we were both members of the Republican State Central Committee fighting for core Republican values,” Vitale said in a press release this morning announcing the fundraiser. “A lot has happened over the past 18 years but our friendship has always remained strong.”
Vitale, whose campaign web site identifies her as a pro-life conservative, is one of five Republicans running in District 33A. The others are Del. Tony McConkey, David Boschert, Sid Saab and Vic Bernson. Democrat Madonna Brennan also is filed to run.
The district is represented by two delegates. Del. James King, a Republican, is running for the area's Senate seat.
A call to the Republican National Committee for details on Steele's Vitale stop was not immediately returned.
Categories: Candidate Watch 2010, Michael Steele
Comments
Well, that's bound to help Vitale's opponents.
Posted by: Softballfan | August 10, 2010 4:06 PM
With Steele involved, someone better make sure that expenses don't exceed proceeds.
Posted by: Mike | August 10, 2010 5:57 PM