As a Republican whose public statements have often drawn criticism from Democrats over the years, I was surprised by what occurred at the Talbot County Republican Central Committee’s recent “Pasta and Politics” event.
The invitation advertised an opportunity to hear from “the five Republican candidates for County Council.” The problem is simple: there are not five Republican candidates in this race. There are six.
IMG 2652
The sixth candidate is Lynn Mielke, the only woman in the field and the incumbent member of the Talbot County Council. Ms. Mielke was present at the event but was not invited to speak. When the speakers were introduced, the Central Committee chairman explained that the committee had used a scoring system to choose the five candidates they support. The scoring system, according to the chairman, was based on factors such as voting records, attendance at party events, donations to the party – a questionable criterion — volunteering, attendance at events and ideological consistency with the Central Committee’s definition of Republican.
Primary elections exist so Republican voters—not party committees—can decide which candidates should represent them. Until this week, I was under the mistaken impression that party committees were prohibited from favoring one candidate over another in primaries. When a party organization presents a partial slate of candidates while excluding another Republican who has filed for the same office, it inevitably raises questions about whether party insiders are attempting to limit voters’ choices to candidates who adopt the insiders’ positions on issues.
That approach also overlooks an important fact. In the last County Council election, Ms. Mielke received the second-highest number of votes overall. Whatever disagreements some activists may have with particular votes taken in office, dismissing a candidate with a proven record of electoral success is a curious way to strengthen the party’s prospects.
Republicans have traditionally believed in competition, open debate, and the ability of voters to make their own decisions. Attempting to narrow the field through endorsements or ideological litmus tests risks sending exactly the wrong message to the broader electorate.
Talbot County Republicans should be confident enough to give every Republican candidate equal visibility and opportunities to present their record and ideas to voters. If our principles are as strong as we believe they are, we should not fear letting voters decide.
David Montgomery
Easton