ESSEX, Md. (WBFF) — Kim Klacik, the nationally recognized Republican commentator whose 2020 congressional campaign attracted millions of dollars in donations, is considering a run to lead Maryland’s Republican Party, accusing its leadership of failing to compete as Democrats tighten their grip on state government.
“Well, I’ve been making my roundsjust trying to figure out what people truly want in this party,” Klacik said. “I have to be honest: I hear a lot of names that are coming up, and these are the same people who haven’t done the job, so I’m strongly considering it.”
Spotlight on Maryland’s investigative journalist Gary Collins, right, pressed conservative commentator and WCBM talk radio host Kim Klacik, left, on the future of the Maryland Republican Party and whether she might lead it. (David Linthicum/Spotlight on Maryland)
When asked about some suggestions that the state GOP is in better shape than ever, Klacik said, “I disagree wholeheartedly.”
This is the defeatist attitude that we see a lot of unfortunately with the Maryland Republicans,” Klacik said.
Her potential candidacy comes as Republicans confront another round of election losses, including Gov. Wes Moore’s landslide reelection. Unofficial election results show Moore defeating Republican Dan Cox by approximately 64% to 31%.
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Klacik’s sharp criticism comes as questions mount about the effectiveness of Maryland Republicans’ current leader, Nicole Beus Harris, wife of Rep. Andy Harris, an Eastern Shore Republican.
Spotlight on Maryland has repeatedly asked Beus Harris for details about the state of the Maryland Republican Party since Election Night last week, most recently on Wednesday.
Those requests have gone largely unanswered, with no direct responses.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore wins second term on Nov. 3, 2026. (7News)
Instead, Beus Harris commissioned a one-question internal poll to gauge whether party loyalists considered speaking to the media about “internal business” appropriate. Her spokesperson said the poll results are why she has not discussed her party’s devastating election results.
After Klacik delivered keynote remarks on Veterans Day at the Essex-Holly Neck Memorial VFW Hall in Eastern Baltimore County, Spotlight on Maryland pressed her for answers about Republican losses.
“Some of this was self-inflicted,” Klacik said when asked what went wrong for Maryland Republicans.
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She blamed Republican leaders for failing to connect voter frustrations about taxes, fees and government spending to a winning political message.
All they do is sit back and kinda watch it happen,” Klacik said. “We have to start winning general elections.”
Her criticism contrasts with Adam Wood, a former Maryland Republican Party executive director now seeking its chairmanship.
“I think we have a messaging problem,” Wood said, “(This was) just a bad year for us.”
Adam J. Wood, the former executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, announced on Election Day that he would run against his former boss, Nicole Beus Harris, for leadership of the state’s GOP. Beus Harris is the wife of Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md. (David Linthicum/Spotlight on Maryland)
Pressed on whether current party leadership had failed, Wood resisted assigning blame to individuals.
There’s a lot of people to blame,” Wood said. “This was a nationwide event.”
For Klacik, the problems run deeper.
On her WCBM radio program this week, Kim Klacik Live, she declared the “Maryland Republican Party has some explaining to do.”
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She was even more critical of its leadership.
“You are all very smart. The people running the MDGOP? Not so much,” Klacik said.
Klacik’s national profile could offer Maryland Republicans something they desperately need: attention and fundraising.
Her 2020 congressional campaign raised nearly $8.3 million, according to Federal Election Commission records, following a viral advertisement criticizing Baltimore’s Democratic leadership and an appearance at the Republican National Convention.
CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 24: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this screenshot from the RNC’s livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Maryland congressional nominee Kim Klacik addresses the virtual convention on August 24, 2020. The convention is being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic but will include speeches from various locations including Charlotte, North Carolina and Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)
While raising more money than any Republican ever in Maryland at the time, Klacik’s financial success did not translate into victory.
Democrat Kweisi Mfume defeated Klacik with nearly 72% of the vote in Maryland’s heavily Democratic 7th Congressional District.
A Republican has not been elected in the district for more than 70 years, since it was reestablished in 1953, state election records show.
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Meanwhile, Klacik’s fundraising ability contrasts with the Maryland GOP’s financial history.
The Maryland Republican Party’s federal committee reported approximately $326,000 in receipts between January 2025 and September 2026, ending September with roughly $2,400 in cash.
An estimated $1.25 million has been contributed or transferred to the state’s minority party over the past four years, according to Spotlight on Maryland’s review of its federal, state and victory accounts.
Standing amid dozens of his dismantled campaign billboards in Middle River, Md., on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Del. Ryan Nawrocki, R-Baltimore County, said hard work and successful personal fundraising were the reasons he and his seatmate, Del. Kathy Szeliga, R-Baltimore County, beat their previous campaign ballot numbers during a national blue wave. (David Linthicum/Spotlight on Maryland)
Del. Ryan Nawrocki, a Baltimore County Republican, argues aggressive fundraising and campaigning helped overcome significant Democratic spending in his district.
Nawrocki and fellow conservative House Freedom Caucus members claim Moore and Democrats spent more than $500,000 attempting to defeat them, yet Republicans retained their seats.
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The Moore campaign told Spotlight on Maryland earlier this week it spent $1.3 million to defeat Republicans across the state, in municipal, county and state races.
They did spend a lot of money in our district. We spent a lot of money back,” Nawrocki said.
Wood offered another explanation.
“Well, they won because they are in safe seats. Simply put,” he said.
Wood argued Republicans must abandon a “one-size-fits-all model” and develop strategies tailored to individual districts.
Sitting at a roundtable among VFW members, Klacik said her priority would be unifying a party she believes was largely absent from the election.
“Our Maryland Republican Party was non-existent,” she said.
Between taking selfies with attendees and being greeted like a local celebrity, Klacik said Maryland Republicans need to meet voters where they’re at, in their local communities.
ALSO READ | Wes Moore faces questions about press access in Maryland, despite national tour
Asked directly whether she intended to challenge Wood and other potential candidates for the chairmanship, Klacik stopped just short of announcing.
I hear a lot of names that are coming up, and these are the same people who haven’t done the job, so I am strongly considering it,” Klacik said.
The Maryland Republican Party will select its next leadership team at its Dec. 12 convention.
Kim Klacik, WCBM talk radio host and nationally known conservative commentator, delivers Veterans Day keynote remarks at the Essex-Holly Neck Memorial VFW Post 2621 in Essex, Md., on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. (David Linthicum/Spotlight on Maryland)
Other names floated as potential leadership contenders include Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano, who lost her seat to Democrat Ernest Davis in a head-to-head rematch.
Giordano did not respond to a request for comment or an interview on Wednesday.
Terry Hanley, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly’s chief of staff, has also been making calls for support among the state’s GOP faithful. He acknowledged Spotlight on Maryland’s request but did not accept an interview request.
Do you have any tips or information related to this story? Send news tips to gmcollins@sbgtv.com or contact Spotlight on Maryland’s hotline at (410) 467-4670.
Follow Gary Collins on X and Instagram. Spotlight on Maryland is a collaboration between FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, D.C., and The Baltimore Sun.
This post was originally published on Fox 45 by Sinclair Media Group.
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