By Laura Benson
This year’s Montgomery County Agricultural Fair brought in visitors from the DC Metropolitan area as well as other surrounding states. There was plenty of fun and food to enjoy. The MCGOP tent always stands out as something different that fair goers may choose to experience---whether it is giving us a thumbs up, stopping in to chat or passing by with some other expression.
Children (and some adults) love the Spin to Win game, and it is always touching when they choose a mini-American flag over candy as their prize. This year we helped promote the Stop the Spend petition being circulated by the non-partisan Committee to Control MoCo Spending. Many voters signed the petition and agreed that there are not enough controls on county spending and as a result, residents are feeling the pinch with the rising cost of living in Maryland. We heard constantly about the recent property tax increase and how people want to leave MoCo and Maryland. There is heightened awareness that the county and state is losing taxpayers. To compound matters, the recently passed ZTA 25-02 allowing single family homes along certain corridors to be replaced with duplexes, triplexes, townhouses and small apartment buildings has resulted in residents being very angry and expressing that the county decision makers do not have their interests in mind and have sent the message that they do not care if they leave. How sad is that?
Being at the Ag Fair gives people a chance to share their sentiments about the issues of the day. Those who stopped by generally had great support for President Trump working at a rapid pace to Make America Great Again. Many wished that his discipline and America First policies would trickle down to Maryland. One family told us how they came to the US legally to flee the MS-13 gangs in El Salvador and that they had lost many family members to gang violence. They were horrified and insulted when our Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen defended a gang member over his own constituents.
Our tent also highlighted some of the candidates who have launched their campaign for the 2026 Mid-term election such as Chris Burnett and Robin Ficker (Congressional District 6), Cheryl Riley (Congressional District 8) and John Myrick for Governor. Visitors were reminded about the importance of voting in the 2026 mid-term elections and motivating others to do the same.
On behalf of MCGOP, thank you for visiting us at the fair, signing the Stop the Spend petition and giving us the opportunity to meet you. The MCGOP will host our annual convention on Saturday, October 11, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Gaithersburg. There will be a morning program followed by a lunch. This is a major fundraiser for our Party so please watch for further details in our Monday newsletter.
(L to R) Laura Benson (MCGOP), Jackie Sackstein (Chair MDYRs), Dave Drake (LD15 PAC), Brenda Thiam (candidate for MD Lieutenant Governor), and Matthew Foldi (Washington Reporter).
John Leaman visiting the MCGOP tent
Laura Benson* and Dan Cuda* discussing petition with Esau.
Family fun in the MCGOP tent
(L to R) Mark Silinsky, Dolores Reyes*, Martha Schaerr*, Laura Benson*, Sandy Tuttle*.
Paul, Laura Benson*, Joyce, Dan Cuda*.
* Montgomery County Republican Central Committee member