Rutherford: ‘Extremist’ Dan Cox Would Harm Republican Office-Seekers in November – Maryland Matters

Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford warned on Thursday {that a} Dan Cox victory in Tuesday’s gubernatorial major would imperil down-ballot Republicans in November.

Cox, a first-term state delegate from Frederick County, is working with the full-throated endorsement of former President Trump. At a “tele-rally” on Wednesday, the 2 males heaped reward on each other, they usually repeated unfounded claims in regards to the 2020 election.

Schulz, a former state labor secretary and commerce secretary, has the backing of Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) and far of the Maryland GOP institution. Rutherford spoke briefly on her behalf at the beginning of a press convention outdoors the State Home.

In an interview with Maryland Issues, the lieutenant governor mentioned that Cox could be a drag on different Republicans in November. “I believe it hurts down-ballot Republicans. No query about it,” he mentioned. “As a result of he’s at that excessive finish of the celebration.”

GOP candidates for state and native places of work would “should separate themselves” from Cox due to his unorthodox views, Rutherford added. “They’d should do it instantly, even when he doesn’t say any greater than what he’s already mentioned.”

Cox was a number one critic of the general public well being measures the Hogan administration put in place at the beginning of the pandemic. An legal professional, he opposed masks mandates and he sued unsuccessfully to get restrictions on enterprise exercise and social interactions lifted. (He and U.S. Rep. Andy Harris had been featured audio system at an anti-mandate rally early within the pandemic.)

Cox additionally filed an article of impeachment to take away Hogan from workplace, an effort that attracted no help from different members of the legislature and died following a seven-minute listening to.

Cox and his working mate, legal professional Gordana Schifanelli, have a historical past of controversial statements. He accused Hogan of “backroom dealings” with the Chinese language Communist Celebration, whereas she has drawn parallels between Queen Anne’s County educators and the leaders of the Hitler youth.

Republican Lawyer Normal candidate Jim Shalleck agreed with Rutherford’s evaluation. “His entire pitch within the Republican major is ‘vote for me as a result of I’m endorsed by Trump,’” he mentioned. “However in a common election, that’s not widespread in any respect.”

“For candidates down-ballot, the difficulty for them goes to be Cox and Trump, versus their agenda,” Shalleck added.

Republicans have gained three of the final 5 races for governor, regardless of the Democrats’ two-to-one voter registration benefit. They’ve finished it with two moderate-appearing candidates, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Hogan.

Goucher School political science professor Mileah Kromer, director of the varsity’s polling operation, mentioned on Tuesday that she has scoured the info to see how a firebrand like Cox might prevail in a common election — and she will be able to’t discover one.

“It’s a fragile and tough path for Republicans in a state like Maryland,” she mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what number of Republican voters end up within the common election. There’s not sufficient of them. You must win Democrats and independents.”

“I’ve not seen a data-driven clarification of his path [to victory] from anyone,” she added. “I’d like to see it.”

The Cox marketing campaign didn’t reply to a request for remark. At Wednesday’s cellphone rally with Trump, the lawmaker mentioned that “30%” of Maryland Democrats are aligned along with his message of “liberty and freedom” and are ready to cross celebration strains to help him in November.