Wicomico officials back Harris

This afternoon, state Sen. Andy Harris picked up major endorsements from elected officials in Wicomico County in his bid to defeat incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest and state Sen. E.J. Pipkin in the Feb. 12 Republican primary.

Sheriff Mike Lewis, Council President John Cannon, Councilwoman Gail Bartkovich and Councilman Joe Holloway all endorsed Harris in a press conference at the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce. Longtime state Secretary of Agriculture and Lower Shore resident Lew Riley also gave Harris the official stamp of approval.

The endorsements consolidate Harris' strength in the Lower Shore section of the First District, less than two weeks before the primary. Wicomico Senators Rich Colburn and Lowell Stoltzfus endorsed Harris last year.

These officials, who apparently grew disillusioned with Gilchrest over his votes on the Iraq war, did not explicitly cite foreign policy in their backing his opponent.

"Andy has served Maryland well and it is time to take it to the next level," Sheriff Lewis said. "Illegal Immigration is a serious concern and Andy has a strong record against illegal immigration."

Riley pointed to Harris' leadership on farms, calling him "one of the first state Senators to put agriculture on a level playing field."

"I am humbled these elected officials from the Eastern Shore believe I will best represent Shore values in Congress," said Harris. "In Washington, I will fight to lower taxes and decrease wasteful government spending, so our economy will produce high-paying jobs for families across the first district."