Ehrlich/Hanley: Vote Harris For Congress. Hiob: Vote Kratovil

With just a few days left until the election, the endorsements are coming in for the 1st District Congressional race between Andy Harris and Frank Kratovil.

The first letter of endorsement is from former-governor Bob Ehrlich, whose name now graces many of Harris’ campaign signs:

Letter to the Dagger:

The stakes are high on Election Day this Tuesday. We have the power to elect steady leaders to Congress. That is why I am supporting Andy Harris for Congress in Maryland’s 1st district. I hope you will, too.

In Maryland, we saw the largest tax increase in our history last year. Today, politicians in Washington are talking about similar tax hikes on the middle class and small business owners. We need a Congressman who will fight to protect Maryland families from additional tax hikes. That’s why I support Andy Harris. As a state senator, he fought by my side in Annapolis to keep taxes low and government spending in check. He also knows that entrepreneurship – not government – is the engine of our economic growth.

Some of you may be independents or democrats unsure which candidate is best suited to protect the Chesapeake Bay or better understands the need to reform our health care system. Andy is that leader.

Andy will be a thoughtful Congressman committed to protecting the Bay, which is a national treasure. As a physician who understands the needs of patients, he is the right leader to help solve America’s healthcare challenges. As a Navy veteran, he is personally committed to helping our service men and women receive the care and respect they deserve.

On Tuesday, we must elect an independent voice with sound fiscal ideas. We must elect a reformer we can trust. Please join me in supporting Andy Harris for Congress.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Local support has also come via this letter from Bel Air Town Commissioner Terry Hanley:

Dear Editor,

I am writing to you today about the race for Maryland’s 1st Congressional District. As a businessman and Bel Air Town Commissioner, I speak with my fellow small business owners everyday who are struggling at the onset of a recession. We are in desperate need of leadership in Washington to address the faltering economy. That is why I am joining Bob Ehrlich, in a full-fledged endorsement of my friend Andy Harris.

In Harford County, 95% of businesses are considered “small businesses.” These small businesses are family owned, employ a large percentage of the county’s workforce, and provide county government with necessary revenue. They are the life-blood of Harford County. Andy understands the issues that are important to Harford county businesses and families. I’ve known Andy for a long time, and as a state Senator he has a proven track record of opposing tax increases. He will be an advocate for hardworking county residents by cutting wasteful government spending, lowering the tax burden, and spurring economic growth.

As a physician, Andy understands that every employer would like to provide affordable healthcare for their employees. His plan will do that without the pitfalls of government-run, universal healthcare instituted by bureaucrats. The last thing we need is paper-pushing government bureaucrats making life-altering healthcare decisions for our families.

His opponent Frank Kratovil will march in lock-step with Martin O’Malley, Nancy Pelosi, and other big government liberals. Most recently, Kratovil was endorsed by O’Malley, and was quoted as saying he wants to be an “ally of Martin O’Malley in Washington.” Harford County families can’t afford the Annapolis tax and spend culture in Washington.

My fellow Harford County residents, this race is very simple. A vote for Frank Kratovil is a vote of approval for Martin O’Malley and his liberal, tax-and-spend, view of government. If you want an independent voice who believes in Bob Ehrlich’s and my own view of government, vote for Andy Harris. My family is with Ehrlich and Harris. I hope you will join us on November 4th, and vote Andy Harris for Congress.

Regards,

Terence O. Hanley

And this letter came to The Dagger the other day from Aberdeen City Councilman Mike Hiob:

Friends,

Some of you live in the 1st Congressional District, and some of you don’t. Either way, I thought you should have this information.

I have met Andy Harris AND Frank Kratovil on many occasions. I can tell you this: Andy Harris is no friend of Aberdeen. He has a pattern of voting against every piece of legislation that would benefit our municipality. Maybe this doesn’t affect you, but it definitely affects me. On the other hand, Frank Kratovil is a true voice of reason. He has demonstrated (to me on multiple occasions) his common sense approach to a wide variety of issues. He is not the “flaming liberal” that he is touted to be by the Harris Campaign. He has been endorsed by MANY Republicans. (including the current Representative Wayne Gilchrest). When elected, he will be able to work with “both sides of the aisle” (an ability Andy Harris has proven he cannot accomplish). Please consider these reasons, as well as a myriad of others when you vote this Tuesday.

Thanks,
Mike