Last week, county Republicans gathered at La Mexicana Restaurant in Gaithersburg to develop a plan to win back the District 6 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. David Trone currently holds the Congressional seat but he has declared himself a candidate for the U.S. Senate. A victory could have far reaching impact in the House of Representatives where voting margins on both sides of the aisle remain slim.
Greg Decker, Chair of Legislative Districts 39, led the monthly Mid County Muster. Citing a higher-than-normal indication of a Republican leaning electorate in the district by the political group 528, Decker said District 6 was the best chance for a win in the highly Democratic voting county. As Decker put it, “No sense running against (Democratic U.S. Representative from District 8) Jamie Raskin.”
Not surprisingly, raising money was seen as the key to winning. But with several potential and declared candidates from both parties circling the Congressional opportunity, some attendees expressed concern about narrowing the field rather than spreading the wealth.
Decker focused on a new strategy from the Republican National Committee – “banking your vote.” In a reversal of party philosophy advising voters to go to the polls in person, Decker wants to increase the number of Republicans who vote by mail. His research showed that number is now 7% of Republican votes, leaving plenty of room for growth.
He also recommended “ballot chasing”, where canvassers follow up with Republicans who haven’t yet voted or mailed in a ballot. In person household visits and leaving doorknob notices were also high on the agenda for District 6.
Other issues the MCGOP wants to promote include term limits for the County Executive, parental rights, electing more Republicans to the county School Board and increasing their numbers among pollworkers for the Board of Elections.
