Wayne Gilchrest

But naturally, not that kind of conservative.

Frank KratovilThe First congressional district has been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) 'Red to Blue' program, which provides support in races where Republican-held seats are viewed as possible or likely takeovers. The addition of Democratic candidate Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) as part of the DCCC's third wave of Red to Blue districts.

According the DCCC's website, candidates earn their spot on the list "by surpassing demanding fundraising goals and skillfully demonstrating to voters that they stand for change and will represent new priorities when elected to Congress." Kratovil had raised over $435,000 this cycle by the last filing deadline at the start of April.

First instituted in the 2004 cycle, the Red to Blue program raised nearly $22.6 million for 56 campaigns in 2006 -- an average of $404,000 per campaign. Red to Blue also offers candidates professional guidance on communications and campaign strategy.

Maryland's First has long been considered a safe Republican district, voting for President George W. Bush over the Democratic candidate in 2000 and 2004 by an average of 10 percentage points. Yet the GOP primary defeat of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville), who has held the seat for the last eighteen years, by the more conservative state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) has given Democrats new heart.

What do two flacks, two candidates for Congress, two regulators, three party leaders and a soon-to-be-ex House member all have in common?

Why, they're all in Maryland's Winners and Losers for June 13, 2008! | CLICK HERE

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.

Harford County Exec. David Craig: Politicker PhotoClaims GOP Unity

HAVRE DE GRACE-- State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) held a fundraiser before the Harford County Conservative Business Caucus in the ballroom of the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, this evening.

Harris, the GOP nominee in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, was joined by Harford County Executive David Craig (R) and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R), along with a crowd of roughly 60 supporters.

Campaign Manager Chris Meekins told PolitickerMD.com prior to the event that the campaign expected to raise between 40 and $50,000 for the evening.

"The fact of the matter is, you have to raise money," Harris said, addressing the audience.

"You need about $1.2 million to do this," he added. "We're about halfway there."

RELATED: John Kerry and John McCain: That was then, this is now and Gilchrest against endorsing McCain after endorsing him.

What will U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest’s refusal to endorse the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain matter to the race for his House seat?

A spokesperson says that Wayne Gilchrest won't endorse John McCain, but doesn't mention that he already kind of did.

Democrats have not held power in Maryland's 1st Congressional District since Roy Dyson represented the Eastern Shore from 1981-1991. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) defeated Dyson in the 1990 elections, and has held the seat since, but when state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) defeated Gilchrest in the 2008 GOP primary, many Democrats began to focus on the district.

"I think this is the best chance we've had in years to reclaim the seat," Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Towson) of the 3rd Congressional District told PolitickerMD.com this past weekend.

The party's nominee, Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), "represents a very strong candidate for Democrats," Sarbanes said.