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Crowded Maryland Republican Primary Gets Even More Divisive

Jul 22, 2021

Former National GOP Chair Michael Steele Joins the Gubernatorial Field 

Today, the former national GOP chair, Michael Steele, announced an exploratory committee for the Maryland Republican Gubernatorial Primary. He joins the already divisive race between pro-insurrection Dan Cox and silent Kelly Schulz that is sure to be defined by right-wing Republican loyalty tests.

With recent polling showing that 85% of Republicans prefer pro-Trump candidates, even if Steele can survive the crowded, Trump-defined primary to come —  Maryland would not support a former national GOP chair who:

Now, after leaving Maryland to push the Tea Party agenda, Steele spends his days chasing cable ratings.

Steele’s candidacy will also intensify pressure on Kelly Schulz to clarify where she stands on key issues like the American Rescue Plan, former President Trump’s false claims of election fraud, and Dan Cox’s support of the January 6th insurrection.

“It’s clear the Republican Gubernatorial Primary is going to be a crowded, divisive battle between Trump acolytes and out-of-touch national GOP leaders. Whoever the Republican nominee is, Maryland voters decisively will reject them and their far-right views,” said Maryland Democratic Party Spokesperson Zachary Holman. “While Republicans are in a race to the bottom, Maryland Democrats are showing why they will win in 2022 and deliver real results for our state.”