Five Maryland sheriffs backed ICE, sued their own state to keep working with federal agents, then ran for reelection on strict immigration enforcement. All five won their Republican primaries on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.
The winners were Jeff Gahler of Harford County, James “Jim” DeWees of Carroll County, Matthew Crisafulli of Worcester County, Mike Lewis of Wicomico County and Chuck Jenkins of Frederick County. Each had been among the most outspoken defenders of 287(g) agreements, which let local law enforcement cooperate directly with federal immigration agents. Crisafulli, who has been Worcester’s sheriff for eight years, faces no challenger in the general election and is the de facto winner.
The lawsuit behind the campaigns
Seventeen of the state’s 24 sheriffs sued last month to stop the Community Trust Act (SB0791), a new law that further limits formal agreements between ICE and Maryland law enforcement. Gahler led the group, which filed in federal court and argued that the law violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Federation for American Immigration Reform is representing the sheriffs pro bono. FAIR did not respond to a request for comment on how that sits with its stated policy of not endorsing candidates.
“It is an intentional state-mandated obstruction of public safety,” Gahler said of the law. “This law deliberately ties the hands of our dedicated local deputies, police officers and correctional officers.” Crisafulli said the issue “is not about politics. It’s about public safety.”
County by county
DeWees, a sheriff for 12 years, beat Jay Landsman Jr. and will face Democrat Gail Wickless in November. He said his stance on 287(g), the Community Trust Act and juvenile crime helped him locally. “My stance gives my constituents a window into whether I’m willing to fight the fight for them, or am I just going to roll over,” he told The Baltimore Sun. He called himself the “last line of defense” against “the insanity that takes place in Annapolis.”
Gahler easily beat Keith Runk and has one Democratic challenger, Terrence Rogers. Harford has been in the 287(g) program since 2016, after Gahler wrote to then-President Barack Obama following his first election in 2014. Lewis, a sheriff for 20 years, beat Scott Hamilton and will face Democrat Lana Foley. Jenkins, also 20 years in office, will meet three Democrats.
“[Immigration] always been the big issue, every four years,” Jenkins said. “I will stand by the fact that Frederick County is a safer place because of that program.” He said his win shows residents are satisfied with public safety.
Voters at the polls
Many voters told The Baltimore Sun that immigration drove their choice. Lew Mason, 75, of Havre de Grace, praised Gahler’s “excellent job” and pointed to the murder of Bel Air’s Rachel Morin by a man who entered the country illegally. Gretchen Loewki, 74, of the same town, said she “totally” disagrees with Gahler. Michael Scheffler of Edgewood backs the lawsuit even though he does not fully agree with all ICE actions.
Two sheriffs who joined the suit did not seek reelection: Scott Adams in Cecil County after 12 years, and Craig Robertson in Allegany County after 16.
Sources
- Every Maryland Sheriff Who Backed ICE and Ran on Immigration Enforcement Won His Primary
- From Harford to Frederick, sheriffs who backed ICE and sued Maryland won big on primary night
