Ellin delivers on debate promise, shows receipts against Shoemaker

But will the now presumably proven attacks be compelling?

On Monday, candidate for Carroll County state’s attorney David Ellin delivered on a promise to publish what he says is proof that his opponent, Haven Shoemaker, flat out lied when he said there were never any tax liens put against a house in his name, during a recent debate held by the Republican Women’s Club of Carroll County.

In a video published to Facebook, Ellin supports his claim by showing screenshots from Maryland’s judiciary case search website, which indeed appear to reveal two cases where judgements were made against Shoemaker, and monies were owed to the State of Maryland as a result.

In one case the amount owed was $2.7K, in another $4.8K — both were promptly settled.

David Ellin, image via Facebook

The aforementioned debate between Ellin and Shoemaker was a local politics main event if ever there were one, featuring an incisive Ellin on the offensive and a capably countering Shoemaker holding strong.

Maryland Muckraker scored the debate in favor of Shoemaker in recognition of his closer adherence to a conservative message, and his quick wittedness in aptly comparing an Ellin attack to an irresponsible one Kelly Shulz recently levied against Dan Cox.

This was not the consensus opinion, however.

If there had been an applause-o-meter in the room for the debate, its dial would have pointed faintly towards Ellin, a sentiment later confirmed by the RWCC’s straw poll which saw Ellin get the nod by a slim margin.

But narrowly winning a debate and capturing the broader support necessary to be carried forth to victory against someone more deeply rooted in Carroll politics are different things.

So perhaps the only remaining question is this — just how compelling will Ellin’s now presumably proven accusation against Shoemaker be?

Will having once had a couple tax liens against a house in his name for a brief period of time be enough to derail Shoemaker’s candidacy?

In that consideration, it must be acknowledged that virtually no one has a favorable view of tax collecting entities. And if Shoemaker were at one point or another operating a business, a household, and campaign related finances otherwise — winding up with a few thousand dollar tax delta might not seem like the height of negligence.

And then somewhat relatedly, recall that when Donald Trump emerged as a candidate, accusations of financial and tax related malfeasance just rolled right off his back.

Now obviously this situation is different. But then again, it’s probably much of the same voter base — so maybe not?

Maryland Muckraker is a completely independent and fearlessly conservative blog covering local issues by me, Ethan Reese. After spending nearly a decade in corporate Baltimore in marketing technology, figured I’d have a go at writing. Since then I’ve contributed articles to FOX’s OutKick, PJ Media, and Rare Politics, as well as being named a Writing Fellow with the America’s Future Foundation.