Marylanders United: Uniting Republicans One Backstab at a Time (Part One)

Marylanders United is the so-called grassroots group that's more about smoking grass than having any roots. Created to pull the wool over your eyes in the 2022 election (and likely 2026) season, this group is a masterclass in deception.

Their star players? Although Matt Morgan resides as Chair, he is controlled by two financial donors: ex-Minority Leader Kipke and ex-House Whip Szeliga, both booted from Republican Caucus Leadership for precisely this kind of shenanigan.

These folks took campaign funds meant to bolster the Republican Party and instead used them to mislead and attack conservative Republicans like Susan McComas, Joe Boteler, and Rick Impallaria. They even funded attack mailers against Republican candidates they simply don’t like, such as Valerie McDonough.

In this 3-part series, Maryland Swamp Watch is ready to blow the lid off their activities, expose their records, and let their own words showcase their hypocrisy in all its glory. Buckle up—this is going to be a wild ride!

The Roll Call of Our Pretend Power Players

click link above or click image to go to actual report

Editors Note: Brian Chisholm was originally on this slate, but once he discovered their true antics, he promptly jumped ship. Curiously, as of January 2024, he’s still sending them money. Because nothing says "I disapprove" like continuing to fund the deception!

The funding pattern for this slate is sketchy at best. It’s clear they were set up to secretly bankroll attacks on Republicans who dared to be more conservative. Apparently, they’re all about party over principle—if they even have any principles to begin with. Clearly, they wanted revenge and Szeliga later admitted it at the polls.

In Ex-Minority Leader Kipke’s 2022 Pre-Primary 1 Gubernatorial election report, he transferred $6,000 to this slate: (from page 30 of his report)

In Ex-Minority Whip Szeliga’s 2022 Pre-Primary 1 Gubernatorial election report, she transferred $6,000 to this slate: (from page 10 of her report)

Szeliga then made a “contribution” to Matt Morgan's Campaign (also the Chairman of the slate: (from page 8 of the same report)

And, suddenly, in a few days, Matt Morgan puts $2,000 into the fake slate! Nice deflection!

Of course, then potty-mouthed Lauren Arikan had to throw her hat in the ring too—because who wouldn't want to join the fun of taking down another incumbent?

Other fortunate recipients and/or contributors of this anti-conservative circus include Del. Rick Metzgar (of BRFA fame), Del. Robin Grammar, Sen. J.B. Jennings, Former Sen. Mike Hough, Christian Miele, Theresa Walter, Gerald Clark, Brenda Thiam, Burton Research and Strategies, and the MD GOP . Because nothing says “uniparty unity" like funding a political soap opera!

One suspiciously absent from their lists of donations…..Dan Cox, the 2022 Gubernatorial Candidate, who trounced their “chosen” candidate, Kelly Schulz. I guess the thumb of Larry Hogan was on this group too, as he actively called donors NOT to give to the Cox campaign.

The “Mission” Statement

From their OWN website, Marylanders United states their mission as:

If their goal is to elect conservatives, why are they blowing their cash on attacking conservatives in the Maryland General Assembly? Talk about a mixed message!

With all the cash they’ve funneled into this disaster of a fraud slate, you’d think they could at least throw $800 at a decent website (thanks, James Morgan) and maybe even splurge on a spell-checker. But no, apparently, the word “principle” isn’t in their vocabulary—probably because they have no idea what it means!

It’s also a blatant lie when they claim on their website that they are ALL Maryland legislators. At that time, Ryan Nawrocki was JUST a candidate, NOT an elected representative. The deception started right from the beginning.

Does the Record Match the Rhetoric?

According to the CPAC Rankings of 2023, their collective record is pretty abysmal, if not inconsistent, especially for those who proudly parade around as "conservatives."

The two Delegates they forced out of office both had lifetime records higher than ANY member of this bunch: Del. Joe Boteler with 96%, and Impallaria with 89%. They tried to rid themselves of Del. Susan McComas, by helping a Democrat who switched Republican, but they failed!

Interesting to note that the 2 leaders of this sham have the lowest “conservative” record of them all!

Oh, let’s not kid ourselves—this group isn’t about dismantling some grand “Democratic Super Majority in Annapolis.” Their track record screams louder than a toddler on a sugar high: they vote with the Democrats more often than they stand up for any principles that might actually benefit We The People.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where we’ll take a closer look at this “almost-conservative” cast of characters. Spoiler alert: it’s going to be a real hoot.

Marylanders United: Uniting Republicans One Backstab at a Time (Part One)

Tom Henry • Jul 10, 2024