Eastern Shore officials shocked by Trump rally shooting

Eastern Shore leaders reacted with shock after a Saturday shooting at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulted in the death of at least one attendee and left the former president with a minor injury.

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano, a member of the Wicomico County Republican Central Committee, is attending this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. She is one of three delegates from the Eastern Shore who will be attending the convention.

Giordano will be flying to Wisconsin Sunday.

“I know that I’ll be safe, I know that there’s a lot of police presence at the RNC,” Giordano said in an interview with The Star Democrat. “But yeah, it does make you sort of hesitate.

“I’m getting ready to hop on a plane and go to a place where you know there’s going to be protests, you know there’s going to be people that aren’t in favor of President Trump and the RNC,” she continued. “It does make you think, and you just have to be cautious.”

Giordano said Saturday’s events will likely raise her vigilance and caution at the convention.

“I think everything becomes so much more real,” Giordano said. “When somebody says, ‘Hey we got to look out for protesters,’ or you need to make sure that you’re paying attention and that you’re staying with the group. ... I think today made it really real on how important and imperative that is.”

Easton Mayor Megan Cook was shocked and saddened by the news of political violence in Pennsylvania against Donald Trump.

“The headline came across on my watch. It’s horrible. It is very sad. No one should be (a victim) of political violence. It is not worth it,” Cook said.

Giordano described her initial feelings as “shock and horror” when she learned of the news. She provided a similar sentiment to Cook, saying that “political violence is never acceptable,” and offered prayers for Trump and those affected at the rally.

“It’s obviously inexcusable, no reason for it at all,” Giordano said. “And today, someone who traveled to the rally to support President Trump has lost their life.”

U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), who represents the Eastern Shore, also offered prayers for the former president in a press statement issued Saturday night.

"Tonight, I am praying for President Trump, his family, the victims and those injured at the rally, and for the future of our country," Harris said. "President Trump showed incredible bravery in the face of evil today, and his courage deserves the utmost respect. May God bless America."

The Dorchester County Republican Central Committee released a statement on Facebook Saturday night signed by Michael Dodd, its chairman.

“Rest assured, this incident will not diminish President Trump’s resolve to save America from the evil that seeks to destroy us,” the statement read, in part. “To the contrary, this cowardly act will serve to further strengthen President Trump’s fight to restore America.”

The Maryland Republican Party shared support for Trump in wake of the shooting.

”The Maryland Republican Party stands with President Trump and pray for his quick recovery and safety,” Chairwoman Nicole Beus Harris said in a statement. “We trust that the Secret Service and all law enforcement involved will do a thorough job and provide answers when they can. We support them and thank them for the difficult job they do.”

Gov. Moore also weighed in on political violence in a statement released Saturday night.

“Political violence is unacceptable and against what our country stands for,” Moore’s statement read. “This kind of cowardice must be roundly condemned by all Americans. What happened today to President Trump is abhorrent and should never be tolerated. Ever.”