SENATE MINORITY WHIP CALLS GILCHREST AD ANOTHER “DIRTY TRICK”

Annapolis – State Senator Andy Harris today called Wayne Gilchrest’s new attack ad an “outright fabrication.” He called on Gilchrest to stop engaging in negative attacks and start telling the voters the truth about where each of them stand on the issue of illegal immigration.



“I don’t think the contrast on this issue could be more clear,” said Andy Harris. “I oppose amnesty, Wayne Gilchrest supports it. This ad is a complete fabrication of the facts. The voters deserve better.”



Senator Allen Kittleman Republican Minority Whip said, “I am disappointed Gilchrest would resort to the dirty trick of intentionally misleading voters about a sitting state senator’s record, especially one with such a clear record of leadership on taxes and illegal immigration.”



These misleading negative attack ads are just another item in a long line of dirty tricks campaigning by Gilchrest. Two weeks ago, the Washington Times reported Wayne Gilchrest had been actively orchestrating the candidacy of Robert Banks to help siphon votes away from Harris.



In the negative attack ad, Gilchrest claims Andy supports giving illegal immigrants drivers' licenses. Senator Janet Greenip, sponsor of the REAL ID Act of 2007, a law to crackdown on illegal immigration, points out this could not be further from the truth, “Andy has been a leader with me as we have fought to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving drivers' licenses.”



Harris has a clear and a consistent record of leadership opposing illegal immigration while in the State Senate. This year, Andy's leadership to filibuster a bill allowing in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in the Maryland State Senate killed the bill. Andy co-sponsored Senator Greenip's REAL ID Act of 2007 to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving drivers' licenses.



Gilchrest’s record of supporting Amnesty (co-sponsor H.R.371) and benefits for illegal immigrants is in clear contrast to Andy’s:



H.R. 371 2007: Gilchrest is co-sponsor of a bill that grants amnesty to illegal immigrants.
H.R.1885 5/21/2001 Vote 127: Gilchrest voted to allow illegal immigrants who overstayed their visas to pay a $1,000 fine and stay in the U.S. while they completed their residency application.
H. AMDT 745 9/9/2004 Voted 439: Gilchrest voted against the amendment that would have barred illegal immigrants working in the U.S. from receiving Social Security benefits.
H.AMDT 138 5/17/2005 Vote 177: Gilchrest voted against the amendment that would have denied federal homeland security funding to state and local governments who refuse to share information with federal immigration authorities.
“As a member of Congress, I will continue to oppose ALL forms of amnesty and will vote to secure our border,” said Andy Harris