Intra-Party GOP Schism In Harford County Draws Vincenti Into County Executive Race

By Bryan P. Sears, Maryland Matters

September 19, 2025

A three-year intra-party schism between Harford County’s executive and county council has given rise to an election challenge of first-term Republican County Executive Bob Cassilly.

Harford County Council President Patrick Vincenti, 71, launched his bid to unseat Cassilly at a Thursday night fundraiser in Churchville, where he distinguished his style of leadership and what he characterized as Cassilly’s more polarizing and combative style.

Harford County Council President Patrick Vincenti. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

“Let’s all be honest with ourselves about the current state of leadership in Harford County,” said Vincenti, who is completing his third term on the council and second as its president. “As far back as I can remember, Harford County’s government was competent, collaborative, and functional. Our leaders worked together. Republicans stood side by side to advance conservative principles. County executives truly partnered with public safety, business leaders, educators, and community organizations to solve problems. Sadly, we know this is no longer the case.”

In an interview, Vincenti said he made the decision to run because of the deteriorating relationship between Cassilly, the council and other officials.

“I’ve had three years with very little communication. It’s always one-sided,” Vincenti said. “The administration is trying to sidestep the council wherever he can. There’s no mutual respect. and I believe in respect. My mother taught me the importance of respect. And I always say communication is the key. We could find easier paths together if we just sat and talked and we didn’t argue.”

Vincenti said the council and executive branch — he did not use Cassilly’s name — have not built a working relationship.

“I just think it’s a lack of willingness on the other person’s part, not wanting to sit and talk instead of dictating,” Vincenti said.

Harford County State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey (R), who introduced Vincenti Thursday, also drew differences between the council president and Cassilly without ever naming the county executive.

Harford County State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey (R) introduced Harford County Council President Patrick Vincenti. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

“He [Vincenti] strives for leadership that is transparent and worthy of the community’s trust,” Healey said. “He has repeatedly been a strong advocate for public safety. There is a huge difference between saying you support public safety and demonstrating through your actions that you support public safety.”

She praised Vincenti for his conservative values and fiscal stewardship — both likely to be issues in a majority-Republican county.

“Most of all, Pat repeatedly engages in something that we need more of from our elected leaders: collaboration and problem solving, ” Healey said. “Pat has forged relationships with all of our county agencies, our elected officials, small-business owners and other community leaders.”

Vincenti’s decision follows what has been a contentious term for Cassilly, a Republican-controlled council and a Republican sheriff and state’s attorney. Cassilly, 67, who announced his re-election bid in May, issued a statement within moments of Vincenti’s launch Thursday.

“As a fiscal conservative, I demand strict accountability to taxpayers,” Cassilly’s statement said. “Families, small businesses, and family farms can’t afford government bloat. I’ve held the line on County Government spending.

“By contrast, over the past three years my opponent expanded his County Council’s budget by 24% and repeatedly pushed to increase overall county spending every year. He seems incapable of saying no to spending more of your tax dollars,” Cassilly said.

The county executive also cited differences with Vincenti over land use, criticizing the council president for zoning changes that “promoted high-density housing … and mega-warehouses.”

“The 2026 election offers a clear choice and, I expect, a spirited debate,” Cassilly said in his statement. “I’m confident voters want four more years of steady, accountable leadership that keeps Harford County strong.”

Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler (R) attended Patrick Vincenti’s campaign announcement and fundraiser. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

The announcement in Harford County caps three years of bitter feuding between Cassilly, the council, Healey and Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler, who attended Vincenti’s announcement but did not offer an immediate endorsement.

“For the past three years, we’ve had an administration that does not value public safety and law enforcement,” Gahler said. “We’ve had an administration that wants to fight with most all elected officials, regardless of party affiliation, and so many others in the county.

“I’m thankful that someone has stepped forward to change the wrong direction that this county is heading, and I look forward to hearing more about the council president’s plans during the course of the campaign,” Gahler said.

In just his first six months in office, Cassilly found himself at odds with the council and Gahler.

Cassilly started his term in 2022 by refusing to seat Jacob Bennett, a Democrat, who won a seat on the council. Cassilly claimed Bennett’s position as teacher in Harford County made him ineligible to be on the council. Ultimately, the Supreme Court of Maryland overturned a lower court ruling and ordered Bennett to be sworn in.

Republican Harford County Executive Robert Cassilly. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Cassilly touched off a dispute with Gahler after balking at funding for a proposed new facility for the sheriff’s department. Cassilly cited budgetary constraints.

After auditors for the council identified concerns about a budget transfer made by Cassilly without council approval, Cassilly ordered his staff to search the emails of council members.

The council accused Cassilly of a Nixonian effort to root out sources who were providing information to the council.

The email search was conducted because the subject of a grand jury investigation launched by the Office of the State Prosecutor, in which there was no indictment.

Since then, Cassilly has pressed ethics charges against Councilman Aaron Penman, who is also a Harford County sheriff’s deputy. Cassilly successfully sought an order from a Circuit Court judge removing Penman from his council seat because of his job within the department.

That order is the subject of an appeal in the Appellate Court of Maryland.