GUEST EDITORIAL
Statement from the Talbot County Republican Central Committee:
Incumbent County Council members Chuck Callahan and Dave Stepp have our complete endorsement and support, as well as candidates Frank Gunsallus, Christian Mackendrick, and Wade Strickland.
***IT IS CRITICAL TO VOTE FOR ALL 5 OF THE ABOVE***
REPUBLICANS – Below are a few highlights of Democrat Ronald “Pete” Lesher’s voting record.
Source-Public information Talbot County Council proceedings: https://talbotcountymd.gov/meetings
Vote #1 Multiple Votes - Fiscal Responsibility, Silence Public Comments – Jeopardized approximately $56.8 Million dollars in Federal Funds, including $48.6 million for the Airport Modernization Project for Talbot County, repealing Administrative Resolutions.
Lesher voted not to allow comments from the public. Then voted to risk our Federal Funds. Then finally recognized the federal ultimatum and changed his vote.
February 25, 2025 – Council member Democrat “Pete” Lesher, voted AGAINST allowing the public to make comments on the proposed repeal of DEI administrative resolutions.
March 11, 2025 – Council member Lesher voted to KEEP DEI policy training for the County Employees, despite a January 20, Federal Executive Order, and despite of knowing the risk of losing Federal Funds that benefit ALL of Talbot County. The Council vote 2 – 3 as follows: Callahan and Stepp-Aye, Lesher, Haythe and Mielke -Nay
June 10, 2025 - after an open letter received by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy dated 4/24/25 threatening to stop any current federal grant funding, stop any future funding, and claw back previous federal grant funding from any recipient with DEI Policies, finally Democrat Pete Lesher, grudgingly reversed his vote and DEI was removed.
Vote # 2 October 28th, 2025 - Fiscal Responsibility, Individual Liberty, Limited Government, Free Markets
Bill 1622 Short-Term Rental Regulations (STR)
Council member Democrat “Pete” Lesher, co-introduced Bill 1622 to implement broad-stoke legislation that would have crippled Talbot County Short-Term Rental (STR) property owners and businesses. The bill appeared designed to deny freedom and persecute ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate business and after the public hearing November 26, 2025 it was so poorly received throughout the county that on December 9, 2025 Democrat “Pete” Lesher, co-sponsor, pulled his support of his own bill, and the bill died.
He’s indicated he would bring it back sometime in the future.
Vote #3 September 24, 2024 – Government Accountability, Supporting Law Enforcement
Election Integrity Letter
County Council member Dave Stepp motioned, and Chuck Callahan seconded, to send a letter to Executive Director of Talbot County Elections Tammy Stafford and the Talbot Board of Elections urging them to follow election law on judge parity for elections. Sheriff Joe Gamble sent a letter requesting the same of the Board of Elections.
Democrat “Pete” Lesher vote NO to a letter from the Council to urge the Talbot County Board of Elections to follow Maryland State election law 10-201 and 10-202.
It did NOT pass - Lesher, Mielke, Haythe NAY - Stepp and Callahan, YAY
Vote #4 April 28, 2026 – Government Accountability, Individual Liberty, Property Rights
Frederick Douglass Recreational Trail removal from MDOT priority List
County Council member “Pete” Lesher, a Talbot Thrive (nonprofit) Frederick Douglass (Cordova) Trail supporter, voted YES to proceed with the Trail which would impact accessing two Mountaire grain mills (Cordova and Queen Anne),, in spite of residents and agricultural operators great concern that these public trails, which will go right through and alongside the Volunteer Fire Department property, family’s private backyards, and privately-owned productive farmland and hunted woodland, will impact liability issues related to active agricultural operations , affect current, safe, legal hunting, and impact the safety of the families of many of our Eastern Shore residents.
His vote was defeated 2-3, Lesher and Haythe voted to oppose removal- Callahan, Stepp and Meilke voted to remove.
Other Concerns about Ronald “Pete” Lesher
The “Easton” woman found guilty of placing swastika stickers on campaign signs of then Easton Town Council President, Frank Gunsallus, as well as on other Town Property, lives at and/or with Democrat Councilman “Pete” Lesher’s family members property. According to her statement to the court, she was residing rent free.
“Judge Karen Ketterman handed out one-year and 60-day sentences for the two misdemeanors, respectively. Both of the jail terms are fully suspended, meaning Cristaudo won't serve time.
The state will not prosecute the remaining charges: 20 counts of using a hate symbol, one count of malicious destruction of property and one count of defacing property in a race/religion crime.
As part of the plea, Cristaudo was placed under a two-year probation. She is ordered to pay $300 in restitution to the Town of Easton and $100 to the Friends of Frank Gunsallus.
Other probation conditions include a no-contact order and 150 hours of community service.”
Questionable Judgement?
Councilman Democrat “Pete” Lesher indicated his acceptance of an appointment to the Easton Utilities Commission until the ethics of the appointment was questioned by several Easton Town Councilmembers concerned that holding two offices of trust and profit simultaneously, was a conflict of interest. Had he taken the oath for the Easton Utilities Commission, it would have nullified his County Council seat. Lesher subsequently withdrew his name from consideration.
“Lesher, …was not confirmed by the Easton Town Council last week. Some town council members raised concerns over Lesher simultaneously serving the County Council and utilities commission.
Town officials said the legality of serving on both bodies would depend on if the utilities commission is considered a “trust and profit” office, since state law doesn’t allow someone to hold two such positions.”
Who is behind Ronald “Pete” Lesher?
For multiple election cycles, Dan Watson, a former developer and chair of the Talbot Integrity Project (TIP), has worked to divide Republicans and disrupt local governance through constant political attacks. According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, the Talbot Integrity Project spent $44,692.08 from July to December 2022 on coordinated media, mail, postage, printing, and campaign material expenditures. When looking at the allocation of these funds, they went to:
Peter Lesher (D), David Montgomery (R), Lynn Mielke (R), Phillip Jackson (D), Michelle Dappert (D), Keasha Haythe (D), and Scott Kane (D). That breaks down to 5 Democrats and 2 “Republicans”.
NOTHING about this is reported on Lesher’s 2022 campaign reports, but it IS reported on Watson’s.
Go to TalbotRepublicans.com to see the actual Campaign Finance report from MDCRIS
Talbot County Wastewater Systems
Watch ANY Talbot County Council meeting where there is an opportunity to further build/improve upon a property, and Democrat “Pete” Lesher is an AUTOMATIC NO VOTE to add the property to the wastewater line. ONLY if there is already a home built on the property with NO availability for improvement will Lesher vote ‘yes”. There are homes in Bozman and Neavitt with failing septic systems so dire that they cannot do laundry on rainy days, yet “Pete” votes NO. One cannot claim to be an ‘environmentalist” and allow failing septic systems at the same time – with “development opportunity’ being the deciding factor on if a failing septic system is acceptable or not.
If you want to hear his views, go to the ONLINE county council meetings. https://talbotcountymd.gov/meetings
These are the candidates we support and request you vote for as well.
Chuck Callahan
Dave Stepp
Frank Gunsallus
Christian MacKendrick
Wade Strickland
We have endorsed the 5 who are true Low Tax, Small Government Republicans.
It is CRITICAL to vote for all 5 endorsed candidates.
Authorized by TCRCC, Iryna G. Treasurer
Early voting - October 22 - 29, Election Day - November 3, 2026
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