GOV RACE: John Rydell of WBFF-TV takes a closer look at the governor’s race following the financial disclosures, where Gazette analyst Barry Rascovar says Gov. O’Malley’s big bucks are more important right now than Bob Ehrlich’s large supporter base.
NECK & NECK: Robert Lang of WBAL-Radio reports on the latest Rasmussen Poll that shows O’Malley and Ehrlich are tied. Listen to the interview with pollster Scott Rasmussen, who says that O’Malley’s job approval ratings are rising. Here’s the poll details. And read Hayley Peterson’s article on the poll for the Washington Examiner.
EHRLICH REJECTS QUERY: Calling it a “no-class move,” Ehrlich refused to answer questions from a Democratic Party worker attending an Ehrlich event in Howard County, Larry Carson reports for the Sun.
MD POLITICS WORKS: In the last two days, campaign finance reports, a little-noticed press release and the start of an annual schmoozefest in Ocean City have helped shape Maryland‘s political agenda for the remaining 10 weeks before November’s election, and beyond, blogs Aaron Davis for the Washington Post.
MIKULSKI ON RUSSIA: U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, seeking a fifth term, told the Salisbury Daily Times she plans to write the Russian ambassador in an effort to get that country to reopen its markets to American poultry imports, Greg Latshaw reports.
HOYER FOE: Charles Lollar’s parents can’t believe they raised a Republican, but the state GOP is pleased that Lollar is running for Congress against long-time Rep. Steny Hoyer for the 5th District seat, reports Maite Fernandez for the PG Sentinel.
BARTLETT-DUCK: U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett didn’t mind when Democratic challenger Andrew Duck and several of his supporters attended a town hall meeting sponsored by the incumbent, Meg Tully of the Frederick News Post reports.
ALCOHOL TAX: More than 130 candidates running for Maryland General Assembly have signed a pledge supporting a resolution to create an alcohol tax in the next legislative session, blogs Andrea Walker for the Sun. The list is at the bottom of the story.
DISTRICT 1: Ben Pershing of the Post asks: Can Rob Fisher beat state Sen. Andy Harris, who is better known, better funded and has the backing of much of his party establishment? The two are seeking the U.S. House seat occupied by Frank Kratovil.
DISTRICT 39: District 39 Senate challenger Saqib Ali has called on Senator Nancy King to return all campaign money she has collected from the alcohol, tobacco and gambling industries, Adam Pagnucco blogs for Maryland Politics Watch. Megan Poinski of MarylandReporter.com writes about the race.
DISTRICT 17: Check out the YouTube video, posted on Maryland Politics Watch, of the mini-debate moderated Bruce DePuyt of News Channel 8 between District 17 Sen. Jennie Forehand and challenger Cheryl Kagan.
BERNSTEIN-JESSAMY: Baltimore businesses have thrown their money to Gregg Bernstein as he challenges incumbent Baltimore state’s attorney Pat Jessamy, reports Scott Dance of the Baltimore Business Journal. But don’t expect them to be too loud about it. The Daily Record staff has editorialized on the race, saying that more light needs to be shed on the issues. That view is bolstered by the opinionators of the Baltimore Sun.
BACKGROUND CHECK: Center Maryland reports Part 2 on the court records of Baltimore County candidates.
CASINOS: Even if he is able to overcome legal obstacles to a proposed Baltimore casino, a Canadian developer is unlikely to be granted a license to operate slot machines in the city, Julie Scharper reports for the Sun. Meanwhile, Nick Sohr blogs for the Daily Record that the refurbishment of Ocean Downs for a casino looks more like construction from the ground up.
CAPITAL NOTES: Political Notes in the Annapolis Capital recaps anti-slots signs yanked; Andy Harris signs “death tax” repeal pledge; Legum doesn’t take lobbiest or PAC funds; and Gansler will be on MPT.
ETHICS CHALLENGE: Michael Day, president of the Baltimore County Professional Firefighters Union, says he may challenge a recently passed ethics bill that bans anyone convicted of certain crimes from lobbying the county, the Baltimore Brew blogs.
EHRLICH: Tea-party anger about the GOP’s early endorsement of Bob Ehrlich might hurt him, Benjamin ford writes in the Gazette.
PEPCO POLITICS: Blair Lee in his Gazette column writes about O’Malley, PEPCO and the Public Service Commission.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: Laslo Boyd writes about the impact of the governor’s race on local goverments in his Gazette column.
PG and BALTO.: Barry Rascovar compares the politics of Prince George’s and Baltimore counties in his Gazette column.
LEGISLATIVE AIDES: Aides to members of the legislature can make good candidates, Erin Cunningham writes in the Gazette.
CHALLENGER DOUGH: A couple of Senate challengers in Montgomery County have more money than the incumbents, Sarah Breitenbach reports in the Gazette.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Democrats have new emphasis on fiscal responsibility, says Comptroller Peter Franchot, according to Alan Brody in the Gazette.
SIGNATURES: Last year’s court ruling on signatures for referendums are keeping measures off the ballot, Erin Cunningham writes in the Gazette.
NOTEBOOK: Gazette Reporters Notebook features gun rights, Pepco and items from Prince George’s.
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