Group Calls For Western Md. Counties To Secede

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -- A group is calling for five western Maryland counties to secede and form their own state.

Scott Strzelczyk, leader of the Western Maryland Initiative, says people are fed up with the liberal majority and want an "amicable divorce."

The five counties -- Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll -- represent just 11 percent of Maryland's population, but the majority of their registered voters are Republicans in a heavily Democratic state.
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