David Craig

Harford County Executive David Craig (R) was an early supporter of incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) in his 2008 campaign for re-election, but even with Gilchrest out of the race, Craig is still backing the Republican candidate. 

"Wayne and I are close friends," Craig explained to PolitickerMD.com. "We've known each other since 1990."

Since losing to state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in February's GOP primary, Gilchrest, a moderate, has been highly critical of the more conservative Harris, indicating that he will not support Harris' candidacy in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

Craig, however, has made his support for Harris clear.

Harford County Exec. David Craig: Politicker PhotoClaims GOP Unity

HAVRE DE GRACE-- State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) held a fundraiser before the Harford County Conservative Business Caucus in the ballroom of the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, this evening.

Harris, the GOP nominee in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, was joined by Harford County Executive David Craig (R) and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R), along with a crowd of roughly 60 supporters.

Campaign Manager Chris Meekins told PolitickerMD.com prior to the event that the campaign expected to raise between 40 and $50,000 for the evening.

"The fact of the matter is, you have to raise money," Harris said, addressing the audience.

"You need about $1.2 million to do this," he added. "We're about halfway there."

Harford County Executive David Craig told PolitickerMD.com that the race for the Republican presidential nomination is “wide-open,” and that his preferred candidate, Rudy Giuliani, could win.

Giuliani, who placed a distant fifth in Iowa and fourth in New Hampshire, is essentially riding his campaign on winning in Florida, where the primary is scheduled for Jan. 29.

The campaign team for First District Rep. Wayne Gilchrest are feeling good about the incumbent Republican's Annapolis fundraising dinner Thursday night featuring former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.

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.

Republican U.S. Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, who is running for re-election in the First District, has picked up the endorsement of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.