While Democrats Campaign Against Trump; Republicans Campaign FOR Lower County Taxes, Property Rights and Preserving The Shore Way Of Life
The Easton Gazette Endorses Chuck Callahan, Frank Gunsallus, Dave Stepp, Wade Strickland and Christian Mackendrick for Talbot County Council.
From Left to Right: Wade Strickland, Dave Stepp, Christian Mackendrick, Frank Gunsallus and Chuck Callahan
As if Saturday, October 17th wasn’t a big enough example of how differently Democrat and Republican County Council Candidates view this election, Republicans sought to make those distinctions clear at a Republican Central Committee event Wednesday, October 19.
To provide context for many of these remarks, on Saturday, October 17, Democrat candidates were seen in a NO KINGS protest on Route 50 in Easton waving signs against Trump, ICE, etc. Some of them even made statements about saving the Bay by eating cinnamon rolls instead of oysters, an odd comment considering the fact that the Eastern Shore culture and economy has been one of harvesting seafood and farming ever since the United States was colonized by the British.
It seems that people who just moved here don't know or care about that.
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Meanwhile, Republicans were in Tilghman Island, a true Eastern Shore community which is deemed by many to be the one town in Talbot County which still maintains a healthy waterman’s culture. They were celebrating that culture and the historic community of Talbot County in general.
They made sure they shared that celebration and focus Wednesday in front of their supporters. After a prayer and the pledge, State Senator Johnny Mautz opened the night with an energetic exhortation to the audience to not only get out and vote starting on Thursday, but also to talk to their neighbors, acquaintances, family members and friends to vote also.
“The Democrats want Talbot County, and they are throwing everything into taking it. So, we have to be strong in our message.” He referenced the fact that State Democrats want to raise taxes and change the nature of our state and the Eastern Shore. Republicans have to show the middle 40% of the voting population, those who are not committed yet, that they have the solutions for problems of affordability, employment while they will keep the Eastern Shore true to it's culture.
He noted that while he and other Republicans such as Chris Adams and Tom Hutchinson are working hard in Annapolis, local county government will be the one protection Talbot County residents have from state overreach. He also reminded the audience of the Democrat attempt at Gerrymandering which would effectively destroy District 1 and remove the only Republican representative Maryland has in D.C., Congressman Andy Harris.
The County Council Candidates then followed with brief statements of their positions and why voters should elect them.
DAVE STEPP: Incumbent, 4 years on Council:
“This is GO time,” Stepp said. Then he outlined important issues on the ballot in 2026:
- Tyrannical Democrat Gerrymandering Giving Democrats One Party Rule of Maryland
- The destructive Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Education legislation which has cost the state billions while student performance has dipped drastically
- The State of Maryland squandering the surplus Governor Hogan left after his terms and the ensuing $3.7 Billion dollar state deficit which Democrats will try to collect by raising taxes again.
- Fiscal responsibility which all five Republican candidates have pledged.
- Protecting our towns from the intrusive, expensive Rails to Trails project which will confiscate private property and cross the county if allowed.
Stepp went on to discuss how the current county council, which includes President Chuck Callahan and Stepp, saved the county $46.8 million, particularly when they acted to maintain federal funding for the Easton Airport by rescinding the DEI policies in the employee handbook. He also reminded everyone of the return of Talbot Day which brought different members of the community together to celebrate our county.
CHUCK CALLAHAN, incumbent, current County Council President, 12 years on the council:
Callahan reminded everyone that he was born and raised here. Callahan has been on the council for 12 years. He commented that the political climate has changed so much during that time. He reminded attendees that he truly loves this county.
During his term, the council has started improvements on the airport, completed a new 911 center, has started construction on the new hospital, and prevented development of the Poplar Hill Farm by purchasing the property.
WADE STRICKLAND, CANDIDATE:
Strickland spoke next and talked about his upbringing in Windy Hill area of Trappe. He is a former member of the Air Force. He spoke mainly about fiscal responsibility.
"When you don't spend more than you make, you don't have to raise taxes and you don't have to make cuts," Strickland stated. "We have enough in our reserve fund to run the county for a year, and that's because the Republican led council were fiscally responsible."
The two youngest candidates spoke next and both spoke about affordability. Frank Gunsallus stated that he and Christian Mackendrick are the two candidates under the age of 40.
CHRISTIAN MACKENDRICK, CANDIDATE:
Mackendrick is a first-time candidate. He is a lifetime resident of Talbot County whose family has been here for nearly 300 years. He spoke about being loyal to the people of Talbot County and having purpose for being on the county council.
"What we do in the next four years will last forever," Mackendrick concluded.
FRANK GUNSALLUS, CANDIDATE:
Gunsallus spoke about being concerned about the next generations. "If taxes keep going up young people will leave. We have to have people in office who care about the future."
All five of the candidates referenced keeping taxes low and protecting property rights of citizens.
"The last time our opponents had a majority on the Talbot County Council, they raised taxes by 25.7%," Dave Stepp reminded the audience.
Early voting October 22 -29th, and on November 3rd.
