Maryland’s floundering Republican Party chose another out of touch, obstructionist tea party candidate to run for higher office today. With House of Delegates Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell announcing his candidacy for Congress, the GOP signaled they believe in promoting failed leadership.

Last spring, Anthony O’Donnell spent more energy trying to block progress instead of moving Maryland forward and even the miniscule Republican Caucus began to make plans to replace O’Donnell as Minority Leader. Even his own Party wants him out, but he thinks he should move up. This is eerily similar to Nancy Jacobs’ exit from a failed term as Senate Minority Leader to run for Congress in the 2nd district and GOP Chairman Alex Mooney’s decision to leave the party with over $100,000 in debt to run for Congress in the 6th district.

O’Donnell has shown he values partisan politics over consensus and solutions for Marylanders. In 2011 alone, O’Donnell voted against a balanced budget, school construction and infrastructure investments.

Maryland does not need another member of Congress that will join Roscoe Bartlett and Andy Harris in voting with the GOP to raise taxes on the middle class, raise healthcare premiums on seniors, and dismantle important programs like Medicare. While the GOP plays politics, Congressman Steny Hoyer continues to fight for the needs of all of his constituents.