Trump makes surprise call into Cox campaign rally in Carroll County

Implores Marylanders to “get rid of the stench of Larry Hogan”

On Saturday, Dan Cox and Gordana Schifanelli held a campaign rally at Hampstead’s Leaping Greenly Farm in Carroll County, featuring an array of recognizable speakers keynoted by Pennsylvania’s Republican gubernatorial primary winner Doug Mastriano, that was well attended by the public and other local office seekers alike.  

Despite a steady level of excitement throughout the event, the surprise highlight undoubtedly came when former President Donald Trump was bridged in via phone over loud speaker to reaffirm his endorsement of Cox’s candidacy and to again lambast Larry Hogan and his hopeful successor Kelly Shulz.

Amidst waning chants of Trump! Trump! Trump! – the former President started his few minute speech by praising what sounded like a great crowd and thanking them for their support of Cox and his running mate Shiffanelli – a last name he pronounced with an emphasis and dialect that is so uniquely his. 

He referred to Cox as a respected lawyer and successful businessman who is tough and smart and who is “MAGA all the way”, unlike Cox’s competitor Shulz who, along with Hogan, is “bad news” and who has done a “lousy job”. 

The former President praised Cox for standing up to Hogan as a State Delegate, presumably a reference to Cox’s attempt to impeach the sitting governor for his heavy handed and rights infringing approach to managing the pandemic.  

Then Trump concluded by imploring Marylanders to “get rid of the stench of Larry Hogan”, which drew rapturous applause and renewed chants of Trump! Trump! Trump! 

Indeed, the sweltering heat did little to suppress the excitement pent up in the attending supporters.  

Prior to Trump’s speech, all of Cox’s endorsed candidates were called up to the stage to be recognized, including Carroll County’s District 5 Commissioner candidate Cathey Allison, District 1 Commissioner candidate Ray Fava, and District 5 State Delegate candidate Sallie Taylor. (I understand District 42C State Delegate candidate Lyn Malick also has Cox’s endorsement, though I may have missed her on the stage)

Later receiving Cox’s endorsement, though not in time to join the stage, was District 5 State Delegate candidate Scott Willens. 

Other Carroll office seekers in attendance included: State’s Attorney candidate David Ellin and District 42 State Senatorial candidate Zach Tomlin.

Mercedes Moebuis, president of the Republican Women’s Club of Carroll County, opened the official portion of the event by singing an attention capturing rendition of the national anthem.

As far as local media goes, The Baltimore Banner was confirmed as in attendance as reporter Pamela Wood was on the scene. But per security, select other publications were notably banned from the event, including The Washington Post and The Duckpin.

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.