Maryland Republican Party

ACORN, an advocacy group being accused of fraudulently registering voters in several states, has not been actively registering voters in Maryland this election cycle, according to The Washington Post.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, has come under fire in 21 states after it was discovered the group had been submitting fraudulent voter registration forms to state officials. ACORN mainly operates in low-income areas in its voter registration efforts and Republicans have lambasted the Democratic Party for the Obama campaign's alleged ties to the group during the 2008 presidential primary.

Stuart Katzenberg, head organizer for Maryland ACORN, told the Post that his group has mainly focused on lobbying in Annapolis for protections for homeowners facing foreclosure this election cycle, but has not been involved in any voter registration efforts. He says Republican attacks have been exaggerated.

Justin Ready, the executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, told PolitickerMD.com today that the controversy surrounding Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley (R-New Market) is a "personal matter between Sen. Brinkley and his family and that's all we are going to say about it."

"At this point we wish Sen. Brinkley and his family the best as they deal with a personal situation," Ready said.

Details of the May 30 domestic disturbance at Brinkley's home emerged over the weekend through a police report obtained by reporter Meg Bernhardt of the Frederick-News Post, where Brinkley is referred to as "the victim in this incident."

State Republicans gathered for the 18th annual Red, White and Blue fundraiser last night in Linthicum, the party's major fundraiser for the year.

Justin Ready, the party's executive director, told PolitickerMD.com that roughly 400 people attended the event. He said the MDGOP expected to raise "close to $100,000" for the evening.

"This is a big improvement from last year," Ready said. "We're moving forward."

Linthicum-- Speaking with PolitickerMD.com tonight at the Maryland Republican Party's Red, White and Blue dinner, state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) said that if the charges of marital infidelity leveled against Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley (R-New Market) are true, "Voters would expect" Brinkley to step down from his leadership position.

Harris, the GOP nominee in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, said he would not comment about the rumors of "domestic problems," and said "nobody has talked to me" about calling for Brinkley to step aside from the party's top Senate post.

Responding to our interview earlier today with Maryland Republican Party Chairman Jim Pelura, state Democratic Party Chairman Michael Cryor told PolitickerMD.com that Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-District Heights) should not succumb to GOP pressure to step down as chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee.

"That would be a punitive action that I just don't think is warranted at this point," Cryor said. "We have no idea what the facts are."

He added, "What if (the FBI) got the wrong guy? How do you restore (Currie) after that?"

Speaking with PolitickerMD.com this morning, Maryland Republican Party Chairman Jim Pelura reaffirmed his belief that Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-District Heights) should step down as chairman of the powerful Budget and Taxation Committee at least until the investigation into the FBI raid of his home on Friday is complete.

The party chair said he was "not calling on (Currie) to resign from the Senate," and said, "He is innocent until proven guilty."

"This investigation has now expanded," Pelura said. "It is my understanding that (authorities) are now looking at his legislative records along with his personal records."

ANNAPOLIS-- The Maryland Republican Party finalized their delegation to the Republican National Convention during the party's spring convention at the DoubleTree Hotel in Annapolis, today.

A total of ten at-large and ten alternate delegates were selected by the Republican State Central Committee.

Those elected were largely representative of the so-called "unity team" that a group of state Republican leaders and activists who supported various presidential candidates early in the primary process formed as a suggested fusion slate. The effort was lead by Chris Cavey, the first vice chairman of the state party.

Of those ten at-large members suggested by the unity team to represent the state, eight were selected by the state central committee; Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley and Howard County Central Committee Chairwoman Joan Becker were not elected.

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, Chief of Staff to state Sen. Janet Greenip, was hired as the new Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, Chairman Jim Pelura announced this morning in a statement.

He will take begin his new position on May 1, 2008.

Check back with PolitickerMD.com for more on this story later today.