In Maryland, we have some generally lousy news. There aren’t very many pickup opportunities in this state, just 2, though 3 seats are on my radar watch as there is a Democratic primary to get rid of a Bush Dog Democrat in this state.
In Maryland, we have some great news. The reason for the above lousy news is that the 2 seats that we have a shot to pick up in this state are the only 2 seats that Republicans hold in this state. Maryland has the potential to become the next Massachusetts, a complete Democratic group in both the Senate, Governor, and House of Representatives.
This state is also expected to go heavily to the Dems inthe presidential race and coat tails could play a significant part in any of the races below.
In Maryland’s first congressional district, everything hinges on the Republican primary. Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest is fairly moderate and would be a safe bet to win re-election should he survive his primary challenge. State Senator Andy Harris is a real nutcase and is backed by the Club for Growth. Should he win the primary, like I hope he will, this would give the Democrats a real opportunity to pick up this seat. Frank Kratovil appears to be the candidate that will come out on top in the Dem primary, he has the most money raised thus far and has an active campaign. Should Gilchrest lose, this is a seat that we should quickly go after.
In Maryland’s 4th congressional district, Donna Edwards is again challenging Bush dog Dem Al Wynn to a primary and we really need her to win. This seat is safe for a good Democrat, similar to the race I discussed in my last posting about Illinois and Dan Lipinski. Our chance to make a move and steer not only the Congress, but the Democratic party as a whole in the direction this country needs them to go starts with primary challenges like these and Donna Edwards needs our full support.
In the final district in this state, the 6th Congressional district, according to the FEC Reports on the green papers, Andrew Duck, a 20 year military veteran who served in Iraq and Bosnia has outraised the incumbent Republican Roscoe Bartlett and has more cash on hand as well. Duck was the 06 nominee and held Bartlett to 59% of the vote, significantly lower than the 67.4% he’d gotten just 2 years earlier. Duck was a political unknown when he started that race and starts this year with significantly higher name recognition.
Beyond these 3 races, there are no significant challenges to any of the Democratic incumbents in either the primary or in the general election and all Democratic incumbetns should be re-elected easily.
The problem in the Gilchrest race is Wayne Gilchrest is considerably more moderate than MD-01. The Delmarva is deep-red territory, if I recall correctly. If the CFG looney wins the primary, he’ll probably win the general, I fear, and then the MD delegation will become more conservative instead of less.
I am cheering hardcore for Donna Edwards. It looks like Wynn’s using the old machine tactic of getting someone else to join the race in order to attack Edwards’ left flank. You’ll see the same in IL-03 with Lipinski. I hope to God we can beat the machine!
Don’t know much about MD-06, but making this race at least competitive would tie up more GOP cash is always a good thing. Go Duck!
Roscoe Bartlett is popular and a local institution, but he’s about 100 years old and does not actively campaign for re-election, taking it totally for granted. We need to get this guy out before he installs his son. Fighting Dem Andrew Duck is running again. He only got 39% last time, but maybe he can mount a more serious challenge this time.