Gilchrest throws support behind Obama, Biden

Republican Wayne Gilchrest, who lost his House seat in a heated primary, is throwing his support behind the Democratic ticket this presidential election.

"My perspective is that the ticket is Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden that they have the breadth of experience, I think they are prudent, they are knowledgeable," said Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) in an interview with WYPR on Wednesday. "We just can't use four more years of the same kind of policy that's somewhat hazardous, which leads to recklessness."

Gilchrest's has already endorsed the Democrat running to fill his 1st Congressional District seat. After losing to state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in the Republican primary, Gilchrest officially endorsed Harris' opponent -- state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) -- last month.

Harris campaign manager Chris Meekins called Gilchrest's move "liberals endorsing liberals."

"This just proves that Wayne Gilchrest represents liberal philosophies," he added.

The Kratovil campaign has not responded for comment.

Kratovil and Harris are currently competing for Maryland's 1st Congressional District seat. The 1st District includes 12 of the 23 counties in the state, which encompasses all of the Eastern Shore and portions of Harford, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties.

The Kratovil-Harris race is ranked the 52nd most competitive U.S. House race in the nation on Politicker.com's Pindell Report. Politicker.com Managing Editor James Pindell lists the race as "Leans Republican."