Baltimore County

Harford County Executive David Craig (R) was an early supporter of incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) in his 2008 campaign for re-election, but even with Gilchrest out of the race, Craig is still backing the Republican candidate. 

"Wayne and I are close friends," Craig explained to PolitickerMD.com. "We've known each other since 1990."

Since losing to state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in February's GOP primary, Gilchrest, a moderate, has been highly critical of the more conservative Harris, indicating that he will not support Harris' candidacy in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

Craig, however, has made his support for Harris clear.

Baltimore County Executive Jim SmithAs rumors continue to swirl that Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith will challenge Comptroller Peter Franchot for his seat in the 2010 Democratic primary, a spokesperson for the county executive said Smith's focus was on his present occupation.

"The county executive has long been devoted to not being a lame duck," spokesperson Don Mohler told PolitickerMD.com. "He lets others do the political talking."

Smith, 66, is bound by term limits and can't seek re-election in 2010. A closer examination of his current initiatives may signal an impending campaign battle with Franchot.

Del. Pat McDonough: Politicker PhotoDel. Pat McDonough (R-Middle River) confirmed that he has "great" interest in seeking the position of county executive for Baltimore County in 2010.

"I think it is the second most powerful position in the state," McDonough said of Baltimore County executive, "behind only the governor."

Saying he would have the authority "to get things done" on issues ranging from education to "deteriorating neighborhoods," McDonough said his "high name recognition" and ability to "get Democratic voters" would increase his chances at winning.

A spokesperson for Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith (D) told PolitickerMD.com today that the county executive will "look to remain in public service" when his term expires at the end of 2010, perhaps an indication that he will seek to run against Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) in the 2010 primary.

"He has spent his entire career in public service," spokesperson Don Mohler said of Smith.

The county executive, who was elected to the Baltimore County Council in 1978 and served as Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County from 1985-2001, is currently in his second term as county executive and may not seek a third term.

Mohler would not describe Smith's level of interest in the comptroller's position, saying, "He's focused right now like a laser beam on his initiatives in Baltimore County."

Congressional candidate Frank KratovilState's Attorney and congressional candidate Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) will address the Baltimore County Young Democrats at the East Towson (Carver) Community Center tomorrow night.

Kratovil, 39, will face state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in the November election in Maryland's First Congressional District.

The event, located on 300 Lennox Ave. in Towson, is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

ANNAPOLIS- Sen. James Brochin (D-Towson) often finds himself at odds with the state’s Democratic leadership. From his support for the death penalty, to his opposition to tax increases brought about by the governor’s plan to balance the budget, Brochin is often courted by Republicans, and his willingness to cooperate might be hurting him within his own party.

Brochin told PolitickerMD.com that his views on several key issues make him “more of a Democrat than a Republican,” calling himself a “moderate to conservative” Democrat.

“I’ve always believed in things like choice and stem-cell research,” Brochin said, adding that he was “very anti-war” and “very liberal on the environment.” He also described himself as “pro-union.”

But Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, for whom Brochin once worked as a legislative analyst, actually moved his colleagues’ seat to the back row of the Senate chamber after Brochin sided with Republicans during last fall’s legislative special session in their attempt to filibuster Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to balance the budget, which raised taxes by $1.3 billion.

Even as the state is slashing its budget in preparation for an economic downturn, Republican House delegates are pushing for a revocation of the computer services tax and Gov. Martin O’Malley isn’t objecting.

“I was hoping that abolishing the computer services tax would be a component [of the House’s budget bill]” Del. Susan L.M. Aumann (R-Baltimore County) said in reference to the 6 percent sales tax on computer maintenance and services, passed during last fall’s legislative special session.

ANNAPOLIS- A day after the House of Delegates voted 105-34 in favor of a spending plan that reduces Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed 2009 budget by more than $511 million, several Republican House members said that the cuts need to be deeper, arguing that the plan does not go far enough to counter future economic and fiscal slowdowns.