Andy Harris and Bob Ehrlich, originally uploaded by Rob Bluey.

Congratulations to Andy Harris for his landslide victory in Maryland’s 1st District yesterday, sending Rep. Wayne Gilchrest packing. The nine-term RINO came under attack from the Club for Growth for his liberal record on economic issues.

Harris was helped by gaining the backing of former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich, but it was the Club for Growth that gave him a boost that toppled Gilchrest. The liberal Republican entered the GOP primary with a lifetime American Conservative Union rating of just 61.2%, dangerous territory, even for a Republican in Maryland.

The campaign came down to economic issues, according to the Club’s Pat Toomey, who remarked that “Harris’ victory that economic conservatism is alive and well and a dominant issue in Republican primaries.” Toomey said it would behoove other Republicans to follow suit in other elections across America. Jon Fleischman of the Flash Report in California summed it up this way:

When an incumbent like Gilchrist is toppled (despite hundreds of thousands of dollars in support from the unions I might add), it sends a loud message. A good message. Actions have consquences, and that when pushed hard enough, Republicans WILL police their own.

Harris’ victory gives the Club much-need momentum heading into 2008. With earmark reformers already making significant strides in Congress, politicians would be wise to embrace a theme of lower taxes, an end to wasteful government spending and greater economic freedom.