O’Malley retains sizeable lead over Ehrlich, Kratovil in neck-and-neck race
Freshman Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil is in a too-close-to-call match in
the conservative-leaning 1st Congressional District against Republican Andy Harris. The candidates have maintained a statistical dead heat for months, though some polls show Harris pulling slightly ahead in the Eastern Shore district, which includes parts of Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties.
In the governor’s race, Republican Ehrlich generated momentum early that kept him tied with O’Malley — to whom he lost by 6 points
in 2006 — for four months. But O’Malley used his giant war chest to constantly remind voters that Ehrlich, as the former officeholder, is essentially an incumbent, too. In early September, O’Malley broke ahead in polls and has been widening the gap.
Political analysts largely attribute Ehrlich’s loss of traction to Maryland’s political makeup, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1 and President Obama’s approval rating remains one of the highest in the country.
In an effort to upset that dynamic, dozens of Maryland Republicans hit the campaign trail this year to rattle the Democratic stronghold.
But in Maryland, unlike in most other states, a shakeup is likely
in only one of nine congressional races.
Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski — a four-term incumbent — is leading Republican newcomer Eric Wargotz by roughly 20 points. A dozen candidates entered the race against Mikulski, including three other Democrats.
Tea Party favorite Charles Lollar is facing off against 71-year-old Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, in the district covering Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. Hoyer, the House’s majority leader, is considered a shoo-in.
U.S. Reps. Chris Van Hollen, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Donna Edwards and Elijah Cummings also are maintaining comfortable leads against Republican opponents.
Roscoe Bartlett, the only Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation, likely will keep his seat as well.
