Tony Caligiuri

Congressional candidate Andy HarrisResponding to accusations leveled against state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) by his opponent in Maryland's First Congressional District, Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), Harris campaign manager Chris Meekins said today that his candidate has a history of "reaching across the aisle" to work with Democrats in the legislator.

"(Harris) supported a paper trail for electronic voting machines and he has continuously opposed wasteful spending regardless of whether it is a Democratic or Republican governor," Meekins said to highlight his point.

Speaking in Towson last night, Kratovil said Harris has voted, and will continue to vote "straight party line," and would be "one of the most conservative people in Congress."

He also said the Harris campaign was overplaying the significance of his relationship with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), calling the governor a "friend," but adding, "We don't agree on everything," namely illegal immigration.

"We don't have to link him to Gov. O'Malley," Meekins told PolitickerMD.com. "He's already done that."

Lynn Caligiuri, a longtime aide to Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) has been hired by the congressional campaign of Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) to assist in fundraising matters, according to Erik Gulbrandsen, the campaign’s communications director.

“She will be helping us to go after some of the Republican money and some of the national money,” Gulbrandsen told PolitickerMD.com.

Gilchrest lost his bid for re-nomination to Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in February’s Republican primary in Maryland’s First Congressional District.

Kratovil, the Democratic nominee, has been courting Gilchrest supporters; both men are political moderates.

Tony Caligiuri, Lynn’s husband and Gilchrest’s chief of staff, has already pledged his support to Kratovil. Gilchrest has not endorsed a candidate.

Chris Meekins, Harris’ campaign manager, could not be reached for immediate comment.

Tony Caligiuri, the chief of staff to Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville), was among a crowd of approximately 50 guests at a breakfast gathering of the organization “Republicans for Kratovil” at the Kent Center in Chestertown, this morning.

Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) will face state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in the November election in Maryland's First Congressional District. Harris defeated Gilchrest in the Feb. 12 GOP primary.

Other Republicans who attended the breakfast included Tony Caligiuri's wife, Lynn, who has also worked for Gilchrest. Karen Willis, a Gilchrest office manager, attended, along with Kent County Commissioner Roy Crow.

Kent County State's Attorney Robert Strong, a Democrat, was also present.

Was the embargo on a NRCC poll spurning Wayne Gilchrest, as his chief of staff contends, or spurred by Gilchrest?

The answer: Both.

Gilchrest campaign responds

State Sen. Andy Harris’s campaign is excited about its “resounding victory” last night in a straw poll of 400 Republican activists at a dinner in Linthicum.

In the poll of First District GOP primary contenders, Harris received a crushing 67% over Senate colleague E.J. Pipkin’s 22% and incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, who finished with 11%.

The dinner, hosted by Republican Dels. Steve Schuh, Jim King and Nick Kipke’s new Citizens for Better Government, was headlined by the late president’s son, Michael Reagan.

Harris commented, "Winning this straw poll epitomizes the support I see from Republicans as I travel throughout the entire district."

Gilchrest Chief Lambasts "Hollow Campaign"

Tony Caligiuri, the chief of staff to Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, blasted the rival campaign of state Sen. Andy Harris during an interview today with PolitickerMD.com.

"(Harris) has done nothing but run a negative campaign," Caligiuri said. "He has absolutely no message. This is the most hollow campaign I have ever seen in politics."

Gilchrest and Harris are joined by state Sen. E.J. Pipkin in the primary battle for the Republican nomination in Maryland's First Congressional District.

In the campaign, Harris has attempted to position himself to the political right of the more moderate Gilchrest, saying in ads that he hopes to bring "consistent conservative leadership" to Congress. His campaign has accused Gilchrest and Pipkin of being "two tax and spend peas in a giant liberal pod."

Why did Tony Caligiuri release this information/answer Gidjunis' question on a Monday and not a Friday?

And why can't E.J. Pipkin be reached for comment on a Monday - filing day for that matter?