Gilchrest campaign ready for Gingrich

Former Speaker Newt GingrichNewt Gingrich, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will headline a fundraiser in Maryland on behalf of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest. Gingrich will be joined on Thursday night at the Westin Park Hotel in Annapolis by former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold, and Harford County Executive David Craig.

Gilchrest, who is currently serving his ninth-term representing Maryland's First Congressional District, is in a tight nomination battle with GOP state Sens. E.J. Pipkin and Andy Harris.

"This will give our campaign a strong financial boost," said Tony Caligiuri, the congressman's chief of staff.

"Newt Gingrich is one of the most respected conservative voices in the country," Caligiuri later added.

Caligiuri also said the diverse support within the Republican Party that will be present Thursday "speaks to Wayne's personal appeal."

"Wayne acts more in the spirit of Ronald Reagan," Caligiuri said. "He attracts people across a broad spectrum. He has the ability to bring conservatives and moderates together."

Both the Harris and Pipkin campaigns have based their efforts on running to the political right of the more moderate Gilchrest.

Neither campaign could be reached for comment.

Caligiuri also spoke about the congressman's decision to accept money from political action committees, (PACs), which was a reversal from his previous campaign platforms.

"The only thing (taking money from PACs) has done, is that it has allowed us to compete with money Harris is getting from the Club for Growth," Caligiuri said in regards to donations given to the Harris campaign by the conservative PAC.

"The people of the first district know that no individual or PAC can buy Wayne's vote," Caligiuri said.

In addition, Caligiuri added that the congressman's "personal integrity," had allowed him to "weather the campaign decision," to accept PAC money.