NRCC

WASHINGTON - The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is providing a financial lift to Frank Kratovil in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

The committee has reserved over $1 million in airtime in the district between now and Election Day in the contest between state's attorney Kratovil and Republican state Sen. Andy Harris, according to a DCCC spokeswoman. The committee went on the air today with a $168,000 media buy.

The district, which spans the Eastern Shore area, has traditionally trended conservative, with President Bush winning 57 percent and 62 percent of the vote in 2000 and 2004, respectively. But Democrats insist that Kratovil is picking up momentum.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported having more than $45 million in cash on hand at the end of April, according to reports filed yesterday with the Federal Election Commission, while the National Republican Congressional Committee reported about $6.7 million cash on hand.

That stark difference could be significant in Maryland's 1st congressional district, where state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) and State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) are expected to be in a competitive race.

Was the embargo on a NRCC poll spurning Wayne Gilchrest, as his chief of staff contends, or spurred by Gilchrest?

The answer: Both.

A new National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) poll shows state Sen. Andy Harris leading QA State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil by as much as 15 points, 37% to 22%.

The NRCC did not poll for defeated incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, who the group supported and fundraised for.

Right on cue, top Gilchrest aide Tony Caligiuri is blasting the group.