Congressional Career
While teaching at Kent County High School on the Eastern Shore, Gilchrest ran against four-term 1st District Democratic incumbent Roy Dyson in 1988. Dyson was plagued by allegations of improper contributions from defense contractors and questions about his sexual orientation. Despite being badly outspent, Gilchrest nearly unseated Dyson, losing by only 460 votes. He sought a rematch in 1990; this time soundly beating Dyson by 14%. In 1992, he survived a close contest against Tom McMillen, who had represented the 4th District before being drawn into the 1st District. Gilchrest won by only 3%, largely by swamping McMillen on the Eastern Shore. He wouldn't face serious opposition again for over a decade.
Gilchrest is a moderate Republican, and he broke ranks with his party more often than any other House member in 2007. While Democrats and Republicans are nearly tied in registration (183,332 Democrats to 180,856 Republicans ), the district has a strong tinge of social conservatism that usually favors Republicans. The 1st has a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+13, indicating that it is a strongly Republican district, and supported President Bush's re-election with over 60% of the vote.
Gilchrest is a member of many moderate Republican groups such as the Republican Main Street Partnership, Republicans for Environmental Protection, and the Republican Majority For Choice. He was also the co-chairman of the Congressional Climate Change Caucus together with Democrat John Olver (MA-1). Gilchrest was a Republican co-sponsor of Rep. Marty Meehan's "Military Readiness Enhancement Act" which would have repealed the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. Gilchrest also spoke in favor of same-sex marriage while the Maryland Legislature was considering legalizing it, calling same-sex marriage a matter of "social justice, civil rights and a more viable democracy."
Aside from his socially moderate stance, Gilchrest has drawn attention for his stance on the Iraq War. Though he initially supported the war, Gilchrest's support waned as the occupation became increasingly violent, expressing his support for the Iraq Study Group Report and called on setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Gilchrest also joined 16 Republicans and 229 Democrats voting in favor of House Concurrent Resolution (H.CON.RES) 63, a non-binding resolution expressing disapproval for the Iraq War troop surge of 2007.
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