Stacey Sauter led a group of Republican volunteers and candidates hosting the MCGOP tent at last Saturday's Olney Days in the Park festivities from 3 to 9 O'clock.

Other attendees included Fitzgerald Mofor, Harold Maldonado, Sonya Dunn, Dolores Reyes and Esther Wells.

The President's OK, but we're not.

Seeing a third assassination attempt Saturday night, this time at the Washington Hilton, was so saddening. Later he gave comments in the White House Brady Press room, named after the man shot at that same hotel where President Reagan was shot by John Hinkley while leaving the back exit. Most of us who've worked in DC know that place well. 

Years ago, I was working for former President Ford (a President who was shot at twice) and I accompanied him to a dinner at the DC Hilton and introduced him. The room was packed. (I still have the tux I had to buy to accompany him!) I pray not only for the President and his family but all the folks in the country suffering this frightful violence and hatred. Even Erica Kirk was there Saturday night, in tears, remembering her own husband's assassination earlier last year. 

Let's dial back the hatred, dial back the violence, recover our sense of community, and remember we're all neighbors, citizens, and friends. We have more that unites us than divides us. Although we don't think alike, it doesn't mean we must hate each other, and violence is rarely acceptable. God bless America and God bless us all.

We can do this, we'll work with anyone who wants to come together, and unite as a community and a country. Yes, I’ll acknowledge that even some folks on the left have expressed relief that the President, again, survived a third attempt on his life. Although the third potential shooter of Trump had just attended a No Kings protest, not all those attendees want that. After the David Trone ads, the Raskin rhetoric and hate coverage from most of the media, it’s good to hear Hakeem Jeffries suggest they stop using the Hitler/Nazi/racist rhetoric. Perhaps the Congress could come together in good faith and fully fund the government, so the Secret Service agents could finally be paid.

I’m familiar with the Hilton and interactions with the President. I’ve been inside the Secret Service bubble. I've seen threats to politicians of both parties. Read it here.

We were all worried about the President, Melania, the folks in the room and the state of the union. To that end, and since we all need it, I’m planning a Trump Birthday Party for June 6, mark your calendar to attend-more info soon. Tell me what you'd like at a Trump Birthday celebration at [email protected]

After one of the many times our world had erupted into chaos, LA’s Rodney King said “Can't we all just get along?” If you have an idea on how to accomplish that tell me how we can do it. Send me your thoughts and comments. Write to me at [email protected]

Stay safe, God bless America and God bless us all.

Dennis Melby

• Apr 28, Dan Cox Meet & Greet
• Apr 28, Wheaton Silver Spring Republicans
• Apr 29, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Gala
• May 2, Coffee with the Chairman
• May 2, MCGOP Open House
• May 5, Cinco de Mayo
• May 8-9 Maryland Republican Party Convention
• May 9, MCGOP Open House
• May 10, Mothers Day
• May 11, MCGOP Breakfast Club
• May 12, Mid MoCo Muster
• May 13, Leisure World Republicans
• May 16, MCGOP Open House
• May 16, UMRWC Monthly Meeting
• May 16, LD 15 PAC Preakness & Politics
• May 17, National Day of Prayer
• May 23, MCGOP Open House
• May 25, Memorial Day Holiday
• May 26, LD 18/20 Monthly Meeting
• May 30, MCGOP Open House

MORE EVENTS HERE

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Sign up for Monday, May 11, 2026

Breakfast With Friends!

The Republican Breakfast Club

8:00 - 9:30 AM

Politicians, candidates, great Republican friends and good food. Come on down!

LOCATION: iHOP, 775 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852

Due to limited space, RSVP to Lori Jaffe by May 9 at [email protected]

Politicians in Montgomery County have a pattern of making promises, especially about taxes, and failing to follow through. Although Marc Elrich campaigned on lowering taxes, County spending has risen by 44% over the past eight years of his administration. Federal COVID relief funds helped offset spending  during the first half of that period, but that temporary cushion is now gone, leaving no safeguard against continued, unchecked spending.

An overview of County spending can be found HERE:

Several quick points stand out:

1. When combining principal and interest payments on County debt, the total exceeds $440 million, making it the third-largest expense after the “Transfer to MCPS.”
2. The fourth-largest spending category is labeled “Not Defined.” Presenting taxpayers with a major expense category that lacks definition would be unacceptable in the private sector.
3. The eleventh-largest category is “Miscellaneous Operating Expenses,” which appears in addition to the already undefined spending category.

A more detailed breakdown of disbursements is available HERE.

 Reviewing this data reveals where tax dollars are going and to whom.

The full County budget can be found HERE.

Taken together, this data raises concerns about the County Executive and County Council’s ability to manage spending effectively.

Despite this, many establishment candidates are currently taking an anti-tax position for now, an approach that is not unusual in an election year. However, we know that once elected, they will continue to raise taxes and fees without making meaningful reductions in spending, eliminating redundancies, or addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies.

With inflation previously averaging around 2.4%, while combined taxes and fees have increased by more than 12%, the “Stop the Spend” ballot petition has gained attention. This initiative proposes limiting County spending growth to the prior year’s rate of inflation, regardless of campaign promises.

Notably, only one Democratic County Executive candidate and none of the Democrat County Council candidates has signed the petition in support of this initiative. I predict they will succumb to the pressure to raise taxes without reducing spending.

It’s time for the people of the County to support the “Stop the Spend” ballot petition and elect politicians that will control spending.

Thanks to those who sent in feedback! Here is some of the feedback that we received.

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Real Diversity Knows Real Citizens

For too long, (since the early 80’s,) I have seen a dominant west-coast citizenry give unmerited privilege to minorities by promoting them in line ahead of others, and changing signage to include their native language. I realized these were personal and private store choices, but unquestioned choices, overtime, belie a cultural lack of value for true character. Character isn’t a skin color or a language, it is an outstanding love toward others, dedication to service, and dependability. Essentially, character is genuine care. And, genuine care for others aligns with merit because it is demonstrative.

Character is the difference between earned and unearned privilege. Without establishing character, a genuine society cannot be built by throwing tax dollars at “free” inclusion programs.