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

Tom Henry  •  Jul 17, 2024

Talk is Cheap, Actions Shout Louder

In Part One of we introduced you to the “conservative” clown car named Marylanders United. We laid out the money trail, mocked their laughable “mission,” and exposed their actual vote records, which are about as impressive as a wet sock with holes in it.


Here in Part Two, we dive into the ACTIONS and HISTORY of these members, completely debunking any notion that this group is serious about reducing the uber-Democrat majority. In fact, you could argue that their unwavering devotion to anti-Trump, anti-Dan Cox, fake-Republican RINO former Governor Larry Hogan has single-handedly torpedoed the Republican Party in Maryland.


Let's take a closer look at the members of this "almost-conservative" club to see if they actually stick to their so-called principles. For a group that publicly claims they don't attack other Republicans, let's put that to the test. Because, let's be real, after the last election, Republicans lost ground every single year during Hogan's 8-year reign.



Why Do Republicans Continue to Lose Ground  in Maryland? 

Maybe it's because Larry Hogan keeps taking jabs at Donald Trump... and hasn't stopped. Virtually every candidate he endorsed lost! Yet, this crew still backs him while pretending to support Trump? Talk about a head-scratching contradiction!


Maybe because Marylanders United put out hit pieces against other Republicans: Susan McComas, Brenda Thiam, Valerie McDonough, Joe Boteler, Rick Impallaria, and more.


Maybe because those in their sphere keep helping to get Democrats elected by smearing and attacking Republicans, and vote with Democrats (we’re looking at YOU, David Marks, Nic Kipke and J.B. Jennings)!


Kathy Szeliga

It’s no secret in Annapolis that Kathy Szeliga is seen as a bully and a thug. Talk to any legislator, past or present, and they’ll tell you she’s not exactly popular…even among Republicans. Many caucus meetings turned into control-freak fests thanks to Szeliga and Kipke’s “my way or the highway” tactics, which rarely worked and ultimately cost them their leadership positions in the House.


She had the audacity to demand that then-Del. Impallaria RESIGN right after his indictment was announced. Looks like she’s a big fan of guilty until proven innocent. The social media backlash forced her to backpedal. So much for her so-called “leadership.”


She pretends to be against drugs but has no problem taking money from the weed lobby (as did Nawrocki). When called out, her pathetic defense was, “I’m a good person.” How weak.


At a recent Szeliga fundraiser, Matt Morgan claimed that she doesn’t get much passed. Seriously? This is the same worn-out excuse they use when trying to unseat Republicans who actually are promoting (and voting to) reining in government overreach, taxation, and spending. Classic move, Matt.


She even teamed up with a notorious troublemaker with anger issues just to take down a 16-year conservative Republican. She proudly bragged at the polls that SHE “got rid of Joe and Rick.” Too bad voters overheard that one, as I was told by several of them later.  But she had “a problem with Trump and women”, yet teamed up with a person known for a history of domestic violence and anger issues. And now she’s going to the RNC Convention as a Trump delegate…and the rest of the Gaggle United supports Trump? Hypocrite much?


So, who’s the sidekick, dragged out from under the rocks……?


Ryan Nawrocki

Ryan Nawrocki’s reputation isn’t any better. Known for a history of domestic violence, his past cost him a run for County Council against Cathy Bevins. Somehow, court records vanished and a website with the judgment mysteriously disappeared.  Click the link for one story from the Baltimore Sun. The article from the East County Times is shown below.

Another article about Nawrocki’s “issues” from East County Times, Oct. 18, 2018.

The claim in the article (according to Lauren Nawrocki )that then-Councilwoman Bevins was “up to her usual dirty campaign tricks”  and that “this incident is distracting from the real issues facing our community”. 


Note to Ryan: Being in office MAGNIFIES character….YOUR temperament and how YOU react to issues in YOUR personal life has (and will) come out in other areas of your life….THAT’S an issue!


The article also says, to quote Ofc. Jennifer Peach of BCPD:


“Every event is assigned its own [criminal complaint] number,… If the [number] is not one that you have already obtained then that would indicate that there is another reported event.”


Could this be the other one? Since he said the first “incident” was over 10 years ago, there is also a case of a Second Degree Assault of December 8, 2012. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is either hiding this one, or it has been expunged to cover his tracks, but it is out there, and the Court’s Disposition was Nolle Pros. Disturbing…

In another troublesome issue, Nawrocki was also a partner of a consulting company, allegedly receiving $10,000/mo, but had no work to show for it. He initially denied it, but then was forced to admit he lied about it. The actual court case (which was dismissed upon some kind of settlement) can be viewed here.  Some speculate newly-minted Gov. Larry Hogan got involved and the issue “disappeared”.


Even with Nawrocki’s specious personal record, the charade goes on. The “dynamic duo” of Szeliga and Nawrocki love to bask in the glory of taking victory laps in races they’ve never run or entered, spinning yarns in emails, radio interviews, and social media posts. Stay tuned for more  details in a future post.


Lauren Arikan

When I first started working in Annapolis, I hopped in the elevator to head to my new office. Among the small group that got on with me, one person started spewing four-letter words that would make a sailor blush. I asked my boss, “Who was that?” He said, "Delegate Arikan." I felt like I needed to shower and gargle to wash off the foul language clinging to me. From that moment on, I decided to keep my distance. I don’t care how you vote; if you lack morals, decency, self-awareness, or even a filter on your mouth, your compass is seriously off.


She seemed completely disheveled and unhinged whenever I saw (or more accurately, heard) her, and over time, the truth came out. During her nasty divorce, it was decided both parties needed psychiatric evaluations. I really fear for her constituents, but more importantly, the safety of her children. It’s questionable that she should remain in office.

*document details from Harford County Circuit Court

Matt Morgan

When it comes to taking aim at Republicans, nobody does it with more flair than Morgan. Ric Metzgar’s baffling decision to support the BRFA—and his even more puzzling defense of it—set the stage for this political slapstick. For the full comedy of errors, check out my article, “Digital Doodads and Raindrops”.

With all the vision of a rear-view mirror, Morgan forgets his own political allegiance and goes after yet another Republican! One sharp-eyed Twitter/X user called out his glaring hypocrisy, but Morgan’s comeback? Oh, it speaks VOLUMES on his level of involvement! Then again, he dutifully contributed to the Hogan hand-picked gubernatorial candidate, Kelly Schulz; likely at the command of Kathy Szeliga.

Mark Fisher

Not to be undone, Fisher chooses not to attack Metzgar’s awful vote, but instead, attacks the reporter, claiming he was “carrying the water for the Democrats. His comments seem to actually defend Metzgar’s vote by deflection.

Nic Kipke

The ex-Minority leader is not without controversy, it  follows him like a lost puppy.  Pretty typical for someone who operates on the leash of the ex-Minority Whip…..whose a good boy!


House Session Incident: In a notable incident, Kipke was accused of being “intoxicated and belligerent” on the House floor and telling House Speaker Adrienne Jones to “sit down” during a heated exchange. This led to calls for a public apology from Democratic legislators, who felt his behavior was inappropriate and disrespectful, particularly towards women in leadership . In typical fashion, he folded like a cheap accordion  after being called out by the Democrat majority. Then again, the Democrats, in typical fashion, made it a race issue, and not about the issue being debated:


“Women in leadership – especially Black women – should NEVER be told to sit down.” - Tweet by Jheanelle Wilkins, D-Montgomery, Chair of the Black Caucus


I can’t help but wonder if Kipke was just a little too acquainted with the product during that exchange, considering the whole conversation was about cannabis; as it’s now crystal clear that both Szeliga and Nawrocki had their pockets lined by the weed lobbies. Coincidence? I think not!


Negative Campaign Mailers: Kipke and then County Executive Steve Schuh were involved in a controversial campaign tactic where negative mailers were sent out against several Democratic candidates in Annapolis. This move was heavily criticized and perceived as an attempt to influence local elections negatively. His efforts backfired, and led to a Democratic sweep in the Council and Mayors Office in Annapolis. 


Once again, helping Democrats get elected.

In Part Three, the final installment of Marylanders United: Uniting Republicans One Backstab at a Time, we’ll shine a spotlight on the “other” outliers of this so-called “conservative” comedy troupe. Buckle up, because this fake slate is about to hit the peak of hypocritical ridiculousness.

Marylanders United RINO Dan Cox Kelly Schulz Kathy Szeliga Ryan Nawrocki Lauren Arikan David Marks Ric Metzgar Matt Morgan Nic KIpke Mark Fisher Joe Boteler Rick Impallaria Susan McComas Valerie McDonough Larry Hogan Brenda Thiam CPAC ACA Jheanelle Wilkins Black Caucus Steve Schuh
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