Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot visited several overcrowded Towson elementary schools Wednesday on the turf of his rumored 2010 Democratic primary challenger, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.

Franchot toured Dogwood, Rodgers Forge and Riderwood elementary schools in what he characterized as preparation for a vote next month on the allotment of state school construction funds. The visit came just days after Franchot’s top aides met with a group of Towson parents who have criticized Smith for not funding a new elementary school in their area.