Wayne Thomas Gilchrest (born April 15, 1946) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives representing Maryland's 1st congressional district. In 2008, Gilchrest was defeated in the Republican primary by State Senator Andy Harris. Following his departure from politics he has worked on environmental education.[3] He is also a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One.[4] In 2019, Gilchrest became a registered Democrat.[5]
While teaching at Kent County High School on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Gilchrest ran against four-term 1st District Democratic incumbent Roy Dyson in 1988. Dyson was plagued by allegations of improper contributions from defense contractors,[11] questions about his sexual orientation,[12] and the suicide of his top staffer.[13] Despite being badly outspent, Gilchrest lost narrowly to Dyson.[14] He sought a rematch in 1990; this time soundly beating Dyson by 14%. In 1992, he survived a close contest against Tom McMillen, who had represented the 4th District before being drawn into the 1st District. Gilchrest won by only 3%, largely by swamping McMillen on the Eastern Shore. He wouldn't face serious opposition again for over a decade.
Gilchrest broke ranks with his party more often than any other House member in 2007.[15] While Democrats and Republicans were nearly tied in registration in 2006 (183,332 Democrats to 180,856 Republicans[16]), the district had a strong tinge of social conservatism that usually favored Republicans. The 1st had a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+13, indicating that it was a strongly Republican district, and supported President Bush's re-election with over 60% of the vote.
In 1993, Gilchrest was the lone Republican vote in support of a bill that would have created DC Statehood.[22] Aside from his socially liberal stance,[citation needed] Gilchrest has drawn attention for his stance on the Iraq War. Though he initially supported the war,[23] Gilchrest's support waned as the occupation became increasingly violent, expressing his support for the Iraq Study Group Report and called on setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.[24] Gilchrest also joined 16 Republicans and 229 Democrats voting in favor of House Concurrent Resolution (H.CON.RES) 63, a non-binding resolution expressing disapproval for the Iraq War troop surge of 2007.[25][26][27]
Gilchrest's moderate voting record resulted in vigorous primary challenges from Republicans who considered him a Republican in Name Only. However, none were successful until 2008. That year, State Senator Andrew Harris, State Senator E. J. Pipkin, Joe Arminio, and Robert Banks challenged Gilchrest in the 2008 Republican primary. Harris was strongly supported by the Club for Growth.
Harris defeated Gilchrest in the Republican primary, with Pipkin finishing third.[28][29] After Gilchrest's loss in the primary, he broke with his party and endorsed Queen Anne's CountyState's AttorneyFrank Kratovil, the Democratic nominee, in the general election,[30] being quoted as saying, "Let's see, the Republican Party, or my eternal soul?" and "Party loyalty, or integrity?" when questioned.[31] Kratovil won the election.
On September 18, 2008, Gilchrest made radio comments praising the Democratic Presidential ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, causing some media outlets to claim his endorsement of the Democratic ticket.[32] However, Gilchrest quickly clarified these comments, saying that they did not amount to an endorsement.[33] Despite the fact that he did not officially endorse Obama, in an October 2 Washington Post article, Gilchrest sharply criticized his own party and their presidential nominee, fellow Vietnam veteran John McCain. Gilchrest said that the Republican party "has become more narrow, more self-serving, more centered around 'I want, I want, I want.'" and said that McCain "recites memorized pieces of information in a narrow way, whereas Barack Obama is constantly evaluating information, using his judgment. One guy just recites what's in front of him, and the other has initiative and reason and prudence and wisdom."[34] Gilchrest later told WBAL-TV that he voted for Obama in the November election.[35]
Gilchrest was ranked as the House's most liberal Republican in 2008 (his final term) by the National Journal, placing him to the left of 8 House Democrats.[36]
Committee and caucus membership
Committee on Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans (Chairman 2001–2007)
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
Founder and Co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force
Co-founder and Co-chair of the Congressional Climate Change Caucus
Co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus
Chairman of the House Corps Reform Caucus
Co-founder and Co-chair of the House Organic Caucus
Co-founder and Co-chair of the House Dialogue Caucus
