Wayne Gilchrest



Wayne Thomas Gilchrest, a Republican, represented the 1st district of Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1991-2009. He lost a primary race to Andy Harris in 2008, and later endorsed Harris's opponent, Frank Kratovil (D) in the general election.

Iraq War
Gilchrest voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Rep. Gilchrest was one of only two Republicans in the House to vote for the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, 2007 (H.R.1591), the Iraq supplemental spending bill, which included a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq. The measure passed both the House and Senate, but was vetoed by the President.

Following the veto, when the House considered a short-term Iraq funding bill without timetables, Jones again was one of only two Republicans to vote in favor on of the measure. It passed the House on May 10 by a vote of 221-205. It was later passed by the Senate and signed by the President.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Immigration

 * See Project Vote Smart For more information on his Immigration voting record.

Bio
Gilchrest was born in Rahway, New Jersey on April 15, 1946. After graduating high school in 1964, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. His tour of duty saw action during the invasion of the Dominican Republic, and ultimately the Vietnam War. He earned the rank of Sergeant in Vietnam where, as a platoon leader, he was wounded in the chest. Wayne was decorated with the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation Medal. Today he is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Military Order of the Purple Heart.

In 1969, he studied liberal arts at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, where he received an associate degree. He then spent a semester in Kentucky studying rural poverty in Appalachia. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree in history from Delaware State College in 1973. Since then, he has done some work towards a master's degree at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.

Congressional career
Gilchrest was elected to the first Congressional district of Maryland in 1991.

According to his House biography, "During his tenure in Congress, Wayne Gilchrest has emerged as a strong voice for fiscal responsibility and environmental protection. His consistent support for reducing federal spending and eliminating the deficit has won him accolades from many taxpayer watchdog groups since his first term in 1991. He also has dedicated his attention to protecting and preserving the delicate environment of the Chesapeake Bay region, and to enhance and encourage economic development within the 1st District of Maryland to improve the quality of life." 

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Jim Corwin to face Gilchrest in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Gilchrest retained his seat.

2008 elections
After nine terms in office, the incumbent Gilchrest lost the Republican primary to state Senator Andy Harris on February 12, 2008. Gilchrest and fellow Maryland congressman Albert Wynn are the first two incumbents of the 2008 election season to lose their seats in a primary.

Money in politics
cid=N00002012&cycle=2006

Committees

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
 * Subcommittee on Railroads
 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation Wildlife and Oceans - Chair
 * Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health
 * House Committee on Science
 * Subcommittee on Environment Technology and Standards
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Republican Main Street Partnership
 * Its My Party Too
 * The Republican Majority For Choice
 * Republicans For Environmental Protection

Boards and other Affiliations

 * American Legion
 * Veterans of Foreign Wars
 * Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Freedom's Watch

Articles

 * Lyndsey Layton and Jonathan Weisman, "GOP Expects Defections as House Debates Iraq Resolution," Washington Post, February 12, 2007: "'Every time I go to another funeral, every time I go to Walter Reed, people are really gracious, but what do you say? What are we doing over there now?' asked Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-Md.), whose Eastern Shore district has lost 23 service members in the war."
 * Anne Flaherty, "Partisan lines drawn in House debate on Iraq. Bush says troops are counting on elected leaders to provide support," Associated Press (Baltimore Sun), February 14, 2007.
 * Jonathan Weisman, "Bush losing Republicans over plan for Iraq war," Washington Post (The Seattle Times), February 15, 2007.
 * David Espo, "GOP Opposition to Bush Plan Forms," Associated Press (ABC News), February 15, 2007.
 * Shailagh Murray and Jonathan Weisman, "Four Clear Voices Rise Above the Din on Iraq," Washington Post, April 23, 2007.