Rahway , New Jersey
Where was Wayne Gilchrest educated from 1963 to 1964?
Wayne Gilchrest Wayne Thomas Gilchrest ( born April 15 , 1946 ) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives representing . In 2008 , Gilchrest was defeated in the Republican primary by State Senator Andy Harris . Following his departure from politics he has worked on environmental education . He is also a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One . In 2019 , Gilchrest changed his party affiliation to Democratic . Early life and education . Born in Rahway , New Jersey , Gilchrest was the fourth child of Elizabeth and Arthur Gilchrests six boys . After graduating high school in 1964 , he joined the United States Marine Corps . His tour of duty saw action during the invasion of the Dominican Republic , and later the Vietnam War . He earned the rank of Sergeant in Vietnam where , as a platoon leader , he was wounded in the chest . Gilchrest was decorated with the Purple Heart , Bronze Star , and Navy Commendation Medal . He is a member of the American Legion , Veterans of Foreign Wars , and Military Order of the Purple Heart . In 1969 , he received an associates degree from Wesley College in Dover , Delaware . He then spent a semester in Kentucky studying rural poverty in Appalachia . He went on to receive a bachelors degree in history from Delaware State College in 1973 . Since then , he has done some work towards a masters degree at Loyola College in Baltimore . Career . While teaching at Kent County High School on the Eastern Shore of Maryland , Gilchrest ran against four-term 1st District Democratic incumbent Roy Dyson in 1988 . Dyson was plagued by allegations of improper contributions from defense contractors , questions about his sexual orientation , and the suicide of his top staffer . Despite being badly outspent , Gilchrest lost narrowly to Dyson . 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 wouldnt face serious opposition again for over a decade . Gilchrest broke ranks with his party more often than any other House member in 2007 . While Democrats and Republicans were nearly tied in registration in 2006 ( 183,332 Democrats to 180,856 Republicans ) , the district had a strong tinge of social conservatism that usually favored Republicans . The 1st had a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+13 , indicating that it was a strongly Republican district , and supported President Bushs re-election with over 60% of the vote . Gilchrest was 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 Meehans Military Readiness Enhancement Act which would have repealed the Dont ask , dont 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 . In 1993 , Gilchrest was the lone Republican vote in support of a bill that would have created DC Statehood . Aside from his socially moderate stance , Gilchrest has drawn attention for his stance on the Iraq War . Though he initially supported the war , Gilchrests 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 . 2008 election . Gilchrests moderate voting record resulted in vigorous primary challenges from Republicans who considered him a Republican in Name Only . However , none were successful until 2008 . That year , State Senator Andrew Harris , State Senator E . J . Pipkin , Joe Arminio , and Robert Banks challenged Gilchrest in the 2008 Republican primary . Harris was strongly supported by the Club for Growth . Harris defeated Gilchrest in the Republican primary , with Pipkin finishing third . After Gilchrests loss in the primary , he broke with his party and endorsed Queen Annes County States Attorney Frank Kratovil , the Democratic nominee , in the general election , being quoted as saying , Lets see , the Republican Party , or my eternal soul ? and Party loyalty , or integrity ? when questioned . Kratovil won the election . On September 18 , 2008 , Gilchrest made radio comments praising the Democratic Presidential ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden , causing some media outlets to claim his endorsement of the Democratic ticket . However , Gilchrest quickly clarified these comments , saying that they did not amount to an endorsement . Despite the fact that he did not officially endorse Obama , in an October 2 Washington Post article , Gilchrest sharply criticized his own party and their presidential nominee , fellow Vietnam veteran John McCain . Gilchrest said that the Republican party has become more narrow , more self-serving , more centered around I want , I want , I want . and said that McCain recites memorized pieces of information in a narrow way , whereas Barack Obama is constantly evaluating information , using his judgment . One guy just recites whats in front of him , and the other has initiative and reason and prudence and wisdom . Gilchrest later told WBAL-TV that he voted for Obama in the November election . Gilchrest was ranked as the Houses most liberal Republican in 2008 ( his final term ) by the National Journal , placing him to the left of 8 House Democrats . Committee and caucus membership . - Committee on Natural Resources - Subcommittee on Fisheries , Wildlife and Oceans ( Chairman 2001–2007 ) - Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure - Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation - Subcommittee on Railroads , Pipelines , and Hazardous Materials - Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment - Founder and Co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force - Co-founder and Co-chair of the Congressional Climate Change Caucus - Co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus - Chairman of the House Corps Reform Caucus - Co-founder and Co-chair of the House Organic Caucus - Co-founder and Co-chair of the House Dialogue Caucus - Board member of the National Iranian American Council ( NIAC ) . Election history .