Citizen Commentary: Sam Jones, Carroll County Republican Central Committee Member – The following was originally published in the Carroll County Times on December 10, 2023

Earlier this month, I attended the 2023 MDGOP Fall Convention with several of my Carroll County Republican Central Committee (CCRCC) colleagues.

All of the county Republican central committees gathered as part of the Maryland State Republican Central Committee to discuss conservative progress in the state, and plans for upcoming efforts and elections.

Other than a couple of bylaw amendments and resolution proposals, the underlying theme of the convention was that Maryland Republicans are united in one goal — getting conservatives elected across the state.

Despite the narrative of the “Fake News Media,” 2023 was a fantastic year for state Republicans. Every single municipal race targeted by the MDGOP was won by conservatives, including the Salisbury mayoral election, where Mayor-Elect Randy Taylor won. Although Salisbury municipal races are non-partisan, Taylor is believed to be the first Republican mayor elected there.

Additionally, in the Town of Bel Air, Republicans Steve Chizmar, Jakob Taylor and Jim Rutledge won their town commissioner races, taking all three seats up for election and ousting a Democrat incumbent. Their campaigns focused on increased government accountability and transparency, which led them to landslide victories. They will now bring a conservative approach to their town’s governance.

Building on these recent successes, 2024 should be a great year for Maryland Republicans. After a tough 2022 gubernatorial election cycle where there was division in our ranks, the message from the Maryland Republican Party leadership is, “We are unified and moving forward.”

We have a fantastic opportunity to keep the first congressional district Republican, along with flipping congressional district 2, currently held by 22-year incumbent (and 30-year politician) Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, and CD-6, held by Rep. David Trone. Trone is leaving the House of Representatives to pursue a Senate seat.

CD-3 could also be a target race for Republicans with the right candidate leading the charge.

There are also several state Senate and House of Delegates races that will be targeted by the MDGOP with hopes of giving the Republican caucuses in Annapolis some reinforcements, and ending the veto-proof majority held by the Annapolis Democrats.

Conservative solutions have never been more relevant to the needs of independent and moderate voters than they are today. In recent memory, conservative leadership brought us energy independence, historic tax relief and prosperity for demographic groups that had been left behind for decades.

Under the leadership of President Joe Biden, our country has seen energy dependence, crippling inflation and a terrible border crisis bringing in crime and fentanyl. In less than one year since Gov. Wes Moore assumed office we’ve seen record state budget surpluses turn into huge, looming budget deficits as well as public safety being put on the backburner.

In summary, we won big in 2023 here in Maryland, because people can see extreme, liberal Democratic rule is not getting the job done for the people of Maryland. We are witnessing a perfect storm for Maryland Republicans to make huge strides.

Support who you wish in the GOP primary on May 14, or send in your mail-in ballots early to ensure they are counted properly. However, come May 15, Republicans must all be on the same team.