Maryland conservative delegates to challenge leadership

Update August 13th:  More on the Kipke-Smiegel challenge, here, at Blue Ridge Forum.

Tea Party-minded delegates in the Maryland House of Delegates are planning to challenge the good old boys (and girls) who represent the long-time establishment operatives of the Maryland Republican Party according to Mark Newgent writing today at Red Maryland.

For some readers the move by the young bucks might seem like inside baseball, but this is a significant turn of events and it explains a whole lot!

Delegates Nic Kipke (Anne Arundel) and Mike Smigiel (Cecil) may challenge Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell (Calvert) and Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio for the leadership positions of the Republican caucus in the House of Delegates.

“I’ve been encouraged to run by a contingent of delegates from the Anne Arundel County, the Eastern Shore, and Western Maryland,” Kipke said. “It’s a gut check,” said Kipke of his contemplation of challenging O’Donnell for the top spot in House GOP caucus, “do we have the right strategy to grow our caucus.”

If he runs, Kipke will seek greater involvement of conservative activists around the state, and give every caucus member “full and defined responsibilities.” Kipke wants to let caucus members use their own unique talents to serve the party.

Kipke cited the example of Delegates Neil Parrott (Washington County) and Pat McDonough (Baltimore County) and their successful management of the petition drive to put the Maryland DREAM Act, giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens, on the November 2012 ballot.

Kipke noted that caucus leadership initially suppressed the petition effort.

That last line was particularly interesting to me, but read on, there is more.