John Leopold

A third hiring freeze is to be implemented in Anne Arundel County effective October 1, according to Republican County Executive John Leopold.

Enacted in response to the state's financial woes, Leopold says the freeze will not apply to public safety positions.

"These are austere times and it's going to take some tough medicine to weather a struggling economy and cuts to local government," said Leopold in a statement.  "We must take every step available to find savings where we can."

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Gov. Sarah Palin's Wednesday night speech was a defining moment in the campaign, according to Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold.

"Clearly the speech last night energized the country. Not just the convention hall," he told PolitickerMD.com.

Leopold praised Palin's bold attitude, and said he can relate to her politically.

"Having been a legislator for 30 years and now as an executive, I can relate," he said. "She's willing to take on the sacred cows."

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Maryland Republicans agree that Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest's endorsement of Democrat Frank Kratovil is disappointing but not unexpected.

"I think a lot of Republicans are gonna view this as a little bit of a betrayal of that support that he's had for years," said Justin Ready, who serves as executive director of the Maryland Republican Party.

Gilchrest currently represents Maryland's 1st Congressional District, but was defeated by state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in the February primary. Gilchrest endorsed state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) early Tuesday morning. The two are scheduled to appear together in Annapolis and Easton the same day.

"As a long time fan of Wayne Gilchrest I'm disappointed," said Don Murphy, chair of the Maryland delegation to the Republican National Convention. "I can't even say I'm disappointed in him. I'm just disappointed...period."

Mike Pappas called the endorsement a "non-issue." Pappas serves as second vice-chair of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee and is the MDGOP parliamentarian.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – John McCain has virtually no chance of winning Maryland in November, Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold says, but a national victory is a different story.

“This is gonna be a razor thin election,” Leopold told PolitickerMD.com at the Embassy Suites hotel in Minnesota’s state capital.

Harford County Exec. David Craig: Politicker PhotoClaims GOP Unity

HAVRE DE GRACE-- State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) held a fundraiser before the Harford County Conservative Business Caucus in the ballroom of the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, this evening.

Harris, the GOP nominee in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, was joined by Harford County Executive David Craig (R) and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R), along with a crowd of roughly 60 supporters.

Campaign Manager Chris Meekins told PolitickerMD.com prior to the event that the campaign expected to raise between 40 and $50,000 for the evening.

"The fact of the matter is, you have to raise money," Harris said, addressing the audience.

"You need about $1.2 million to do this," he added. "We're about halfway there."

The Teflon Two? O'Malley and Brown make it through another rough story with barely a scratch on them, giving their staff another dry-run in crisis management. Plus, John Leopold gets stuck holding a $100,000 bill in the days of belt-tightening budgets.

Find it here, in Maryland's Winners and Losers for May 23, 2008. | CLICK HERE

Former Speaker Newt GingrichNewt Gingrich, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will headline a fundraiser in Maryland on behalf of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest. Gingrich will be joined on Thursday night at the Westin Park Hotel in Annapolis by former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold, and Harford County Executive David Craig.

Gilchrest, who is currently serving his ninth-term representing Maryland's First Congressional District, is in a tight nomination battle with GOP state Sens. E.J. Pipkin and Andy Harris.

"This will give our campaign a strong financial boost," said Tony Caligiuri, the congressman's chief of staff.

"Newt Gingrich is one of the most respected conservative voices in the country," Caligiuri later added.

Republican U.S. Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, who is running for re-election in the First District, has picked up the endorsement of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.