The Maryland Republican Party held their gubernatorial primary debate between candidate hopefuls Harford County Executive David Craig, Cintas Corporation general manager Charles Lollar and Delegate Ron George of Anne Arundel County in Shriver Hall last Thursday. Larry Hogan, the fourth contender, did not attend.
The main issues that the candidate hopefuls touched upon included the economy, crime and education.
On the topic of the economy, all candidates agreed that taxes needed to be lowered. Loller proposed to eliminate the personal income tax completely, while George put forward a plan to cut the income tax, lower the corporate income tax and lower taxes on property and equipment for manufacturing firms. Craig emphasized the need to appeal to businesses who are considering leaving the state. According to Craig, having a diverse range of businesses in Maryland would inspire competition and lower prices for consumers.
When talking about crime in Maryland, Craig emphasized the fact that Harford County had the lowest crime rate in the state. Both Craig and Loller called for reform to Maryland’s correctional facilities. George, on the other hand, proposed a new treatment and rehabilitation program in an effort to reduce the recidivism rate. George made clear that, while he was not attempting to be “nice” to the criminals, physical and mental health problems among inmates have a correlation with violence.
In regards to education, all of the candidates stated that they would get rid of the Common Core. Lollar, whose wife is a teacher, emphasized the need for Maryland to turn down federal dollars, including those going to education. And Craig, who used to be a teacher himself, called for a redistribution of wealth within schools from administration to teachers.
In general, while the candidates agreed on most issues, the debate provided an opportunity for candidates to prove to voters that they can win the general election. In that respect, Lollar and George, who owns a jewelry store, repeatedly cited their business backgrounds as a credential for efficient government leadership.
The debate was hosted by the College Republicans and moderated by Richard Sher, the host of local ABC talk show Square Off.
“[The] event was a unique and productive way to connect students with politics and current events shaping the state we live in,” College Republicans president Christine McEvoy wrote in an email to The News-Letter.
Students from Loyola, Towson and the College Park and Baltimore City campuses of the University of Md., as well as about 200 Maryland citizens, also attended the event. Conservative political blog Red Maryland Network live-streamed the event.
Maryland Congressman Andy Harris, who earned both a bachelors’ degree from Hopkins in 1977 and a medical degree in 1980, spoke before the debate.
McEvoy wrote that the College Republicans began planning the event, which was hosted in conjunction with the Loyola College Republicans, the Baltimore City Republican Central Committee and the Maryland Republican Party, in October.
Before the debate, students had the chance to network with Republican candidates for the Maryland House of Delegates at a reception outside Shriver. At this reception, McEvoy was voted the next chair of the Maryland Federation of College Republicans.
“I look forward to continuing to work with such motivated and dedicated individuals both in Maryland and within the College Republican National Committee,”McEvoy wrote.
McEvoy wrote that the College Republicans are currently working to increase their campus presence and to connect undergraduates with politics and current events.
The Maryland republican gubernatorial primary will be held on June 24.
