Maryland Legislative District 20 Republicans lunched with Henry Marraffa then gathered for dinner to discuss winning elections.

The Chevy Chase Women's Republican Club is the closest such club for Silver Spring and Takoma Park GOP women. CCWRC hosted a midday luncheon Wednesday February 19th in one of Montgomery County's oldest restaurants, Normandie Farm off Falls Road. Gaithersburg City Councilman, Henry F. Marraffa, Jr. spoke on "How Republicans Can Win Election in Montgomery County".  Councilman Marraffa is the only elected Republican in Montgomery County, having been elected last November to his 6th term and knows well the subject and the terrain. He quoted Ambassador (and former District 8 Congressional Representative) Connie Morella who told him when he first ran for office, to "be prepared to run by yourself". Montgomery County is now fast becoming a county not so much full of registered Democrats with a sprinkling of Republicans, as it has become a center for those who now register overwhelmingly as Independents.
Within Montgomery County is the assumed Democrat stronghold, District 20, which encompasses Takoma Park and downtown Silver Spring as well as White Oak all the way up the old Columbia Pike. The new redistricting has moved some boundaries, where people in District 14 and District 18 now find themselves a part of District 20.  But all were welcomed on Wednesday evening for the monthly gathering of District 20 Republicans at Mi Rancho Silver Spring. Some representatives from gubernatorial candidates' campaigns joined in the discussion of general politics and election of Central Committee members for the Fall. The gathering was classic Silver Spring/Takoma Park which might be an eye-opener for those who make the judgement all Republicans are exclusive old white men - not a one fit that category. It was a group of men and women, blacks, whites and Asians, young and older. The description was not one that many in the group would have put forward but, here, the blogger discretion allows!
All gubernatorial candidates will have named their Lt Governor "partners" when the last one to name, that is, GOP gov-candidate Charles Lollar of Charles County, makes his announcement midday Monday in Annapolis. Gubernatorial debates "begin" with The Universities at Shady Grove on Monday March 24th for all candidates, Republican and Democrat; GOP candidates will debate noon Wednesday March 26th in Rockville. More debates are proposed with two in April and another in May. Primaries are June 24th (early voting begins June 12th); the general election is November 4th (early voting begins October 23rd), a mere 7-1/2 months away.