By Kory Dodd
Capital News Service
Friday, Sept. 6, 2002

WASHINGTON - Experts believe Rep. Wayne Gilchrest will cruise through
the 1st District Republican primary, with one pollster predicting that Gilchrest "is going to cream" challenger David Fischer.

But the actions of the Gilchrest campaign are showing signs of caution in the waning days of the primary.

President Bush has been called in to make phone calls to a few key Republicans in the district, said Tony Caligiuri, Gilchrest's spokesman.

The campaign is also mailing letters signed by the president in support of Gilchrest.

And the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which rarely gets involved in congressional primaries, endorsed Gilchrest on Aug. 30 because of concerns
about his opponent's strength, said Bill Miller, the chamber's vice president and  political director.

The normally sleepy 1st District campaign began heating up three weeks ago, when the Club for Growth -- a group of conservatives devoted to ousting moderate Republicans in Congress -- announced its support for Fischer.

It has raised about $150,000 for Fischer's campaign from people across the country, said club President Stephen Moore. The club also launched a $100,000 radio and television ad campaign that attacks Gilchrest's voting record.

Moore said the club sees the race as a chance to replace "one of the 10 or 15 most liberal Republicans in Congress."

The Republican Main Street Partnership, a group of GOP moderates in the  House of Representatives, responded by saying it would support Gilchrest's re- election campaign.

Executive Director Sarah Chamberlain said the partnership has spent more than $100,000 on a television ad and mailing campaign that highlights Gilchrest's accomplishments, in an attempt to protect one of its own.

She said it is the first time the partnership has mounted a TV ad campaign and the first time it has stepped in to help Gilchrest, a longtime member. The partnership is running the campaign because Gilchrest refuses to take money from sources outside his district or from political action committees, Chamberlain said.

Caligiuri said he is not worried about the newfound money for Fischer because he "fully expected to be outspent dramatically and we always have been" in other elections.

Other analysts are confident about Gilchrest's chances as well.

Frank A. DeFilippo, a political analyst for WBAL Radio, and Salisbury
University political science professor Michael O'Loughlin said they do not  believe Gilchrest needs outside help to win the primary.

Fischer's radio ads and mailings attacking Gilchrest turn off Eastern Shore voters, who dislike negative campaigns, DeFilippo said. Gilchrest is popular in the district and "in most Republicans' eyes, he's been a steady steadfast member," said O'Loughlin.

DeFilippo said that in those parts of the district where Gilchrest is not as well known -- the counties that were added in redistricting -- he is being helped by Rep. Robert Ehrlich, who currently represents those areas.

Abby Jones shares that optimism.

Jones is the spokeswoman for the League of Conservation Voters, an avid  supporter of Gilchrest's in the past. But the league is so confident in the 12- year incumbent's re-election that it chose not to endorse or give him money this year, Jones said.
 

Copyright © 2002 University of Maryland College of Journalism