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The Kelly Schulz for Governor campaign today announced the endorsement of the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35. This endorsement is the latest in a series of endorsements from leading law enforcement officials and groups that Kelly Schulz has received throughout her campaign. Previously, Schulz was endorsed by seven sheriffs from across the state, for her steadfast commitment to supporting law enforcement and dedication to safe streets and safe communities.

“FOP Lodge 35 appreciates your support of law enforcement officers in Montgomery County.” Said Lee Holland, President, FOP Lodge 35. “We thank you for working hard to fairly represent all residents, making sure to guard the interests of Montgomery County and Maryland. FOP Lodge 35 believes you have the experience, knowledge, and proven leadership abilities essential to addressing the challenges to improve the State of Maryland. There is no doubt you are the choice to keep Maryland safe.”

“Receiving the endorsement of FOP Lodge 35 is an incredible honor for me,” said Kelly Schulz. “Every single day, police officers put their lives on the line to serve and protect their communities, they deserve a governor who values them and will always have their back – I’ll be that governor.”

As governor, Schulz has pledged to provide more funding for law enforcement to ensure that departments can hire officers, and that officers receive the proper training and equipment needed to perform their jobs safely and effectively. She will also work to expand the Hometown Heroes Act to eliminate state taxes on the retirement income of our members of law enforcement. To tackle violent crime, she will be focused on fighting for legislation to keep repeat violent offenders behind bars and penalties for those charged with illegal gun crimes.

The Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 represents over 1,600 active and retired members of law enforcement.

Republican candidate for governor Kelly Schulz today released the following statement in response to Governor Larry Hogan’s statement directing the Maryland State Police to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen:

“After weeks of dragging his feet, I called on Attorney General Brian Frosh to do his job and allow law-abiding Marylanders to exercise their constitutional right to concealed carry. I commend Governor Hogan for doing what the Attorney General has repeatedly failed to do on this issue – follow the laws of this nation. The governor directing the Maryland State Police to process these permits is the right call, and I stand with him in support.

“The Attorney General had more than enough time to rectify this situation but instead did nothing. That is shameful and the worst kind of politics. He swore an oath to uphold all laws, not just the ones he likes. No elected official gets to choose between the laws we follow and those we don’t. Attorney General Frosh has made a career of suing others over the same kind of willful disregard of the law.

“Our state already has laws on the books which prohibit violent criminals, abusers, and those with mental illness from owning firearms – as governor, I will enforce these laws. Repeat violent offenders who commit crimes with illegal guns are the problem, not law-abiding citizens.”

Candidate for Maryland governor Kelly Schulz today released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen and condemning Attorney General Brian Frosh for his failure to issue direction to the Maryland State Police.

The New York law that was struck down by the Supreme Court, is nearly identical to the current statute in Maryland, requiring “good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun, such as finding that a permit is necessary as a reasonable precaution against danger.”

This ruling has implications for seven states, including Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Prior to the ruling, in these jurisdictions, the issuance of a permit to carry was based on a citizen being able to prove that could meet a certain specified need to conceal carry.

“Over a week ago, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Americans have a legal right to carry a handgun outside of their homes for self-defense. In accordance with our nation’s highest court, I am calling on Attorney General Brian Frosh to follow the law and immediately provide the Maryland State Police guidance, directing them to issue concealed carry permits. He is dragging his feet, and Marylanders deserve answers.  

“Of the seven states with similar laws, Brian Frosh is the only attorney general who has failed to issue guidance. He needs to stop playing politics and do his job.

“Following the Supreme Court’s decision, I made my position clear. I support the rights of law-abiding gun owners and as governor, my job is to enforce the Constitution of the United States and the laws of our state. The ruling by the Supreme Court made it known that Marylanders have a right to concealed carry. 

“Our state already has laws on the books which prohibit violent criminals, abusers, and those with mental illness from owning firearms – as governor I will enforce these laws. Repeat violent offenders who commit crimes with illegal guns are the problem, not law-abiding citizens.”

Democratic Governors Association To Spend At Least $900 Thousand To Promote Fringe, Unelectable Candidate Dan Cox

Schulz Campaign Calls On All Democratic Candidates, Dan Cox To Publicly Oppose DGA Interference

DGA Desperate To Avoid Losing 4 Out Of 6 Maryland Gubernatorial Contests

*Schulz Campaign to Hold Press Conference with Republican Leaders in Response to DGA*

As the Schulz campaign predicted in a campaign memo two weeks ago, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) is officially interfering in Maryland’s Republican gubernatorial primary to boost fringe candidate Dan Cox. Beginning next week, the DGA will be spending at least $900,000 in television ads throughout the State promoting Dan Cox and his failing campaign. This interference follows a nationwide onslaught from Democratic groups that spent upwards of $40 million to support fringe and completely unelectable Republican candidates. 

Campaign memo: This idea is nothing new, but it has gained considerable steam and financial support in recent months and we have reason to believe the DGA might try something similar here in Maryland. The political calculation is simple – spend resources helping an unelectable Republican win the primary, ensuring an easy win for the Democratic candidate in the general.

Source: CMAG/Kantar

The DGA has been meddling in the Republican primary for months conducting “push” polls designed to show Dan Cox as a credible candidate for governor. However, as the Schulz campaign warned, they are taking this to a new level. The DGA has now made it perfectly clear that they fear facing Kelly Schulz in the general election and will stoop to any depth to avoid that outcome.

Campaign memo: Everything is trending in our favor for a historic victory – we have the most accomplished candidate, we have the right message, we have posted historic fundraising hauls, and Marylanders like the direction that our State is heading. Combined with Governor Larry Hogan being the most successful and popular governor in Maryland history and President Joe Biden’s endlessly tanking poll numbers, the political environment could not be better for a third Republican gubernatorial victory in a row come November.

“The DGA loves to talk about protecting and defending Democracy, but in reality they couldn’t give a damn and this proves it,” said Mike Demkiw, Communications Director for the Kelly Schulz for Governor campaign. “Dan Cox and every single Democratic candidate should condemn the DGA for these underhanded tactics or accept the fact they are complicit in their political deceit of Maryland voters.”

“Dan Cox is a pathological liar, a conspiracy nut, and he’s completely unfit to serve as governor – and that’s exactly why the DGA is willing to spend this kind of money supporting him.” 

“It’s clear the prospect of losing four out of the last six governors’ races in Maryland will drive some people to do some pretty despicable things. Ultimately, this won’t work. Maryland Republican voters aren’t the rubes DC Democrats think they are and in two weeks Kelly will be well on her way to becoming the next governor of Maryland.”

Campaign memo: Of course, the DGA is very aware of how crazy Dan Cox is and they have ample reasons to get involved. They have been an embarrassment to their donors, losing 3 of the last 5 gubernatorial elections Maryland. They know with Kelly Schulz as the Republican nominee they would be well on their way to another loss. 

Candidate for governor Kelly Schulz today released the following statement on Governor Hogan’s call on the presiding officers to convene a special session to suspend the gas tax:

“As I’ve been saying for weeks, Comptroller Franchot should take action on the Inflation Tax and the General Assembly needs to reconvene immediately to suspend the gas tax.  

“This isn’t complicated. Marylanders are suffering under some of the worst inflation and price hikes our country has ever experienced – the time for sitting around Annapolis and hiding behind lawyers is over.

“I know what it is like living paycheck to paycheck and I know what it is like being a single mom raising children. When you’re struggling, like lots of Marylanders are, deciding between groceries and gas isn’t hypothetical, it’s your reality.

“As governor, I will fight every single day to make our state more affordable. That’s why I am committed to providing permanent relief at the pump and repealing the Inflation Tax during my first year in office.

“Marylanders deserve a governor who understands that every dollar matters.”

Candidate for governor Kelly Schulz today released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s call to suspend the federal gas tax:

“Americans have felt the pain of skyrocketing costs and record-high inflation for too long. After months of blaming others and refusing to acknowledge the struggles that hardworking families are facing, the president is finally calling for some action.

“Yes, the federal gas tax should be suspended and so should Maryland’s. 

“Even worse, our state’s gas tax will increase by 18 percent next week due to cowardly legislation passed in 2013 that indexed our gas tax to inflation. I voted against the Inflation Tax back then and have been calling for it to be repealed since the start of this campaign.

“Annapolis politicians refused to take action this legislative session, and we will all pay the price for their complacency very soon. Comptroller Franchot could stop this coming increase on his own but he would rather hide behind his lawyers. He should step up and lead.

“As governor, I will never stop fighting to make Maryland more affordable.” 

The Kelly Schulz for Governor campaign today announced a fifth ad which is part of the previously announced high six-figure media buy. The 30-second ad entitled “Weak On Crime,” will air on digital platforms.
 
“Weak On Crime,” takes a look at Dan Cox’s track record on issues related to protecting victims of crime and his lack of support for the police. Despite his talk of being tough on violent criminals and pledging to support members of law enforcement, Cox’s actions and voting record paint a very different picture.
 
While being in office during the height of the defund the police movement, Cox voted against hundreds of millions of dollars in critical police funding for local jurisdictions every single year, he even voted against Governor Hogan’s Re-Fund the Police Initiative. He’s also taken votes to protect rapists, abusers, and human traffickers, the same violent criminals which he now says that he will crack down on. 
 
Despite what he says now, Cox supports releasing violent criminals from jail because of COVID. While representing a charged child rapist, Cox claimed that COVID was too dangerous for his client, a Tier III sex offender and that as a result he should be granted pre-trial release. Cox called the thirteen-year-old a liar and to this day, continues to defend the registered sex offender.
 
“Dan Cox loves to talk tough when it comes to criminals but his record reveals that he is nothing more than a typical double-talking politician and scheming criminal defense attorney,” said campaign manager Hunter Mullins. “Violent crime and public safety are top concerns for voters and Kelly Schulz is the only person in this race that Marylanders can trust to keep their communities safe. We need to treat law enforcement officers like heroes and criminals like criminals, but Dan Cox has consistently proven that he isn’t up to the task.”

“Weak On Crime” (:30) Transcript

Dan Cox is weak on crime.

Cox voted to protect sex traffickers.

At the height of the defund the police movement, Dan Cox voted against police funding.

Dan Cox supports releasing violent criminals because of COVID.

And helped get a charged child rapist back on the street after less than a year in jail.

The Kelly Schulz for Governor campaign today announced a fourth ad which is part of the previously announced high six-figure media buy. The 30-second ad entitled “These Guys,” will air on network and cable television stations across the state.

“These Guys,” introduces Schulz to the broader Maryland electorate and draws a stark contrast between Schulz and her ten Democratic opponents in the race for governor. As the ad details, every candidate running in the Democratic primary will take Maryland in a completely different direction than the past eight years. Tax hikes, massive new government programs and spending, and no realistic plans to address violent crime are staples of their campaigns.

Kelly Schulz is committed to making Maryland more affordable by cutting taxes and controlling spending, while empowering parents with real choices, and tackling violent crime with real action.  

“Maryland’s gubernatorial race presents voters with a simple question: do we keep moving forward with the progress of the past eight years or do we go backwards,” said campaign manager Hunter Mullins. “There is only one candidate in this race who will keep Maryland moving in the right direction. The other guys are determined to take Maryland back to the past of one-party control and endless tax and spend policies. Kelly Schulz is different.”

“These Guys” (:30) Transcript

There are ten Democrats running for Governor.

But they’re all the same.

I’m different.

I’m Republican Kelly Schulz.

At nineteen I was pregnant, waiting tables.

But, I got my degree, while raising two boys.

I owned a small business.

Served in the legislature and as Maryland’s Commerce Secretary.

These guys…

They’ll raise taxes, increase spending, demand control over our kid’s education, and will
never be tough enough on criminals.

That’s not me.

I’ll keep changing Maryland for the better.

Yesterday, in front of the congregation at Huber Memorial Church in Baltimore City, Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford formally endorsed Kelly Schulz as the next governor of Maryland. Schulz, served in the Hogan-Rutherford administration for seven years as the first female secretary of both the Department of Labor and Department of Commerce and played a central role in Changing Maryland for the Better.

“I’m proud to endorse Kelly Schulz for governor,” said Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford. “She’s been a valuable member of the Hogan administration, and she has the experience and wisdom to continue the work of Changing Maryland for the Better.”

“I am thankful for the trust that Lt. Governor Rutherford has in me to serve as Maryland’s next governor and to continue to move our state in the right direction,” said Kelly Schulz. “Over these last eight years, our state has come a long way and made incredible strides. I am proud to have been a part of this success, working with the lieutenant governor and Governor Hogan to improve the lives of so many Marylanders.”

While working for the Hogan-Rutherford administration, Schulz partnered with the governor to advance a number of key initiatives. Working in tandem with the governor, Kelly Schulz fought for tax relief and advocated for one of the largest tax cuts in state history, the RELIEF Act, eliminated or streamlined hundreds of regulations, and established and grew nationally recognized job training and apprenticeship programs. Because of their work together, Maryland now ranks as the most improved state for business in America.    

As Maryland’s next governor, Kelly Schulz is committed to ensuring that Marylanders will have strong leadership in the governor’s office so that our state can be safe, steady, and prosperous.