Tea Party Caucus Press Release

Monday, February 7 was the organizational meeting for the House of Delegates Tea Party Caucus. Elected at that meeting were Delegate Mike Smigiel, Chairman, Delegate Curt Anderson, 1^st Vice Chair, Delegate Justin Ready, 2^nd Vice Chair, Delegate Mike McDermott, Secretary.

Tuesday, February 8, Mr. Charles Lollar, a US Marine Veteran ,was named to head the Maryland chapter of American’s For Prosperity. Lollar, a black Republican Activist and Tea Party supporter is taking over the bipartisan organization that has organized many of the Tea Parties across Maryland and the US.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Del. Cheryl Glenn referred to the tea party as “the anti-Christ to the Democratic party.” She rebuked Anderson for violating “the philosophy of the Democratic party” in being a member of the Tea Party Caucus

Today, the recently elected Delegate Curt Anderson abruptly resigned from the Tea Party Caucus. "It's almost like I joined the Ku Klux Klan” he said.

 “It seems there are many in the ruling party that share a phobia when it comes to lower taxes and smaller government” said Delegate McDermott. “Delegate Anderson is a victim of intolerance by a party that’s out of touch with the American people”

Chairman Delegate Smigiel stated “It’s pathetic that they would play the race card on fiscal issues and attempt to squash the freedom of expression of Delegate Anderson. Shame on them!”

Delegate Michael Hough, a member of the Caucus agreed “It’s sad that the Democrats won’t allow a member to openly support lower taxes and limited government.”

The mission of the House of Delegates Tea Party Caucus is as follows:

“The Maryland House of Delegates Tea Party Caucus is a non-partisan caucus that values and will seek to establish fiscal responsibility, to enhance free markets, to follow the US and Maryland Constitution models of limited government, and to lower taxes.  The caucus will support and sponsor legislation promoting these values and will stand united against legislation that violates these values in Maryland, the Free State.”