Corey Stottlemyer

A group of state Republican leaders and activists who supported various presidential candidates early in the primary process have formed a “unity team” as a suggested fusion slate to represent Maryland at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

“The idea is to bring everyone on board in support of Sen. (John) McCain,” Corey Stottlemyer, the former political director of the state Republican party and unity team member, said.

Chris Cavey, the first vice chairman of the state party, is leading the effort.

“We have presented the unity team as a suggestion for those who do not necessarily have a ballot,” Cavey said.

The plan is not endorsed by Jim Pelura, the chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.

“The Maryland Republican Party does not have slate,” Pelura told PolitickerMD.com.

Jim Pelura, the chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, said Justin Ready, the chief of staff to state Sen. Janet Greeinp (R-Crofton), was the "right fit" to become the new executive director of the state party. This morning, Pelura announced that Ready had been selected to replace John Flynn.

"I rely on my first impression," Pelura said of his decision. "All the candidates were well qualified, but Justin is the right one."

"I'm very happy to be asked to serve," Ready told PolitickerMD.com. "I'm excited to continue the process of working with the chairman to make Maryland a two-party state again."

Justin Ready, the chief of staff to state Sen. Janet Greenip (R-Crofton), told PolitickerMD.com that he is one of 14 candidates seeking to become the next executive director of the Maryland Republican Party.

Ready, 26, said that he’s “had a lot of experience in the last five years,” and said he did not think his youth would hurt his chances at securing the position.

Ready has been with Greenip for the past 18 months. Before that, he was the statewide field director on state Sen. E.J. Pipkin’s (R-Stevensville) 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. He also worked for Del. J.B. Jennings (R-District 7) and was a volunteer on Bob Ehrlich’s 2002 gubernatorial campaign.

Recently, Greenip served as the “state grassroots leader” on Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign.

Chris Meekins, the campaign manager for state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in his bid to become the next representative from Maryland’s 1st Congressional District, is among a list of 14 candidates vying to replace John Flynn as executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, sources tell PolitickerMD.com.

Meekins would not comment on the matter when contacted by PolitickerMD.com, saying, “My focus right now is getting Andy Harris elected to Congress.”

“If other challenges present themselves—we may look at it,” Meekins said.