Hartman

Tinus

Schanno

By Greg Ellison, Staff Writer

(June 21, 2018) Republican voters in Maryland’s House of Delegates District 38C primary election on June 26 will select their next representative from among four candidates, as no Democratic candidate is registered for a primary election challenge in November.

Independent and third-party candidates have until July 2 to register.

On the crowded Republican ticket are Ocean City Councilman Wayne Hartman, Jim Shaffer, Joe Schanno and Ed Tinus.

Hartman, whose City Council term ends next year, is a native of Baltimore City and has been a year-round Ocean City resident for nearly two decades.

Speaking from the campaign trail on Tuesday, Hartman was near the Salisbury Airport drumming up support.

“I’ve been very well received out here,” he said. “The campaign seems to be going well.”

Maryland House District 38C encompasses parts of Worcester and Wicomico counties.

With past experience on the Worcester County Planning Commission and Technical Review Committee, as well as serving as treasurer for the Ocean City Development Corporation, Hartman said he hopes voters are enthused by his background in small business and elected office.

“I’ve been focused on positive messages and what I can do moving forward,” he said.

Ocean Pines resident Joe Schanno, who graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2002 and Salisbury University in 2007, became involved in local politics as a teenager.

During the campaign, Schanno picked up several key endorsements, including the Maryland Farm Bureau, plus an A-rating from the National Rifle Association.

“That showcases and highlights my commitment to the entire district,” he said. “Agriculture is one of the biggest drivers of the economy in the counties and the district.”

Schanno, who has worked for and donated exclusively to Republican candidates during his political and professional career, estimated visiting nearly 2,000 constituents during the primary campaign.

“I made it my commitment to go everywhere,” he said. “I knocked on almost every door in my district.”

After losing the District 38 State Delegate Republican primary in 2010, Schanno worked with Rick Santorum’s unsuccessful 2012 presidential bid and joined the [Larry] Hogan for Governor campaign as Eastern Shore director in August 2014.

In February 2015, Gov. Hogan appointed Schanno as special assistant to the secretary for the Department of Natural Resources.

Whaleyville resident Ed Tinus, a master upholsterer, although currently registered as a Republican has engaged in past political contests as an Independent and Democrat.
In 2016, Tinus ran for U.S. Senate from Maryland as a Democrat and lost the primary to Chris Van Hollen, before losing as an independent write-in candidate. In 2012, the outcome was the same when he challenged incumbent Sen. Ben Cardin.

Regardless of party affiliation, Tinus hopes to foster “direct democracy, by engaging the public with the legislative process.

“During the last General Assembly session, in 90 days there were 3,000 bills, and all the associated verbiage,” he said. “That’s impossible for any representative.”

Tinus is hoping to use technology, specifically an “Ed app,” to have volunteers read proposed legislation and red flag issues of concern.

Tinus also envisions simplified legislation in the form of single-subject bills, written for ease of comprehension.

The Maryland Right to Life, an affiliate of the National Right to Life political action committee, has endorsed Tinus for the 38C election.

“Do you want to vote with me in Annapolis?” he said. “I need your help … engage with me through the process.”

Candidate Jim Shaffer was unavailable for comment.

Early voting for the primary election takes place from June 14-21 with polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gull Creek Senior Center Community Sunroom in Berlin.

Polls will be open for the June 26 Primary Election from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information visit co.worcester.md.us/departments/elections.