Wayne Gilchrest

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Wayne Gilchrest
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Roy Dyson
Born	April 15, 1946 (1946-04-15) (age 62) Rahway, New Jersey
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Barbara Gilchrest
Religion	Methodist

Wayne Thomas Gilchrest (born April 15, 1946) is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives representing Maryland's 1st congressional district since 1991. The district includes the entire Eastern Shore and a few suburbs of Baltimore, including parts of Anne Arundel County and Harford County. In 2008, the moderate Gilchrest was defeated for renomination by State Senator Andy Harris.

[edit] Early life and education

Born in Rahway, New Jersey, Gilchrest was the fourth child of Elizabeth and Arthur Gilchrest's six boys. After graduating high school in 1964, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. His tour of duty saw action during the invasion of the Dominican Republic, and ultimately the Vietnam War. He earned the rank of Sergeant in Vietnam where, as a platoon leader, he was wounded in the chest. Gilchrest was decorated with the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation Medal. Today he is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Rep. Gilchrest (second from left) and others join President George W. Bush for the signing of the North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act.

In 1969, he received an associate's degree from Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. He then spent a semester in Kentucky studying rural poverty in Appalachia. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree in history from Delaware State College in 1973. Since then, he has done some work towards a master's degree at Loyola College in Baltimore.^[1]

[edit] Congressional career

While teaching at Kent County High School on the Eastern Shore, Gilchrest ran against four-term 1st District Democratic incumbent Roy Dyson in 1988. Dyson was plagued by allegations of improper contributions from defense contractors and questions about his sexual orientation. Despite being badly outspent, Gilchrest nearly unseated Dyson, losing by only 460 votes. He sought a rematch in 1990; this time soundly beating Dyson by 14 points. In 1992, he survived a close contest against Tom McMillen, who had represented the 4th District before being drawn into the 1st District. Gilchrest won by only three points, largely by swamping McMillen in the Eastern Shore. He hasn't faced serious opposition since, and recently defeated Democratic opponent Jim Corwin in the 2006 Congressional race.

[edit] Voting record

Gilchrest's voting record is considered liberal for a Republican, and he voted with Democrats more than any other Republican house member in 2007.^[2] His Congressional district is rated as strongly Republican by the Cook Partisan Voting Index and supported President Bush's re-election with over 60% of the vote. While registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in the district 183,332 to 180,856 [1], the 1st has always had a significant social conservative tint which favors Republicans.

In addition to supporting environmental legislation, he is pro-choice on abortion, and supports a repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. In 2002 his district was made more Republican through redistricting, and he has faced several primary challenges from conservative Republicans (in 2002, David Fischer, in 2004, State Senator Rich Colburn). Gilchrest is a member of many moderate Republican groups such as the Republican Main Street Partnership, Republicans for Environmental Protection, Republicans For Choice, Christine Todd Whitman's IMP-PAC (It's My Party Too) and the Republican Majority For Choice. He is also the co-chairman of the Congressional Climate Change Caucus together with the Democrat John Olver (1st MA).

On February 14, 2002, Gilchrest voted for the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act.^[3]

On June 24, 2005, Gilchrest voted to continue taxpayer subsidies for Viagra^[4]

Gilchrest is a cosponsor of legislation concerning District of Columbia voting rights.^[5]

In 2006, Gilchrest voted against the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act.^[6]

On September 26, 2006, Gilchrest voted against the Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006^[7] which would allow property owners access to federal court for their Fifth Amendment takings claims.^[8]

In March, 2007, Gilchrest was one of two Republicans to vote for a bill that required President George W. Bush to bring combat troops home from Iraq by September 1, 2008.^[9]

In April of 2007, Gilchrest was one of four Republicans (including Walter B. Jones of North Carolina, Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri and Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee) to vote for a similar bill that required President George W. Bush to begin troop withdrawal from Iraq on October 1, 2007. This bill also provides the goal of bringing all troops home from Iraq by March of 2008.^[10]

Also in June of 2007, Gilchrest voted against a series of amendments offered by Representative Jeff Flake to strip earmarks from the Fiscal Year 2008 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill.^[11]

In February of 2008, Gilchrest was one of three Republicans (including Representative Walter B. Jones of North Carolina and Ron Paul of Texas) to vote in favor of holding Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten in Contempt of Congress. ^[12] The rest of the Republicans had walked out of the vote in protest.

[edit] 2008 election

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland, 2008

Gilchrest's moderate voting record resulted in vigorous primary challenges from Republicans who considered him a Republican in Name Only. However, none were successful until 2008. That year, State Senator Andrew Harris, State Senator E. J. Pipkin, Joe Arminio, and Robert Banks challenged Gilchrest in the 2008 Republican primary. Harris was strongly supported by the Club for Growth.

Harris defeated Gilchrest in the Republican primary, with Pipkin a close third.^[13] [2]

[edit] Committee assignments

• Committee on Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
• Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force
• Co-chair of the House Climate Change Caucus
• Chairman of the House Corps Reform Caucus
• Co-founder and Co-chair of the House Organic Caucus
• Co-founder and Co-chair of the House Dialogue Caucus

[edit] Election history

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps Portal

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Congressman Wayne Gilchrest official U.S. House website

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
• Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia