GOP sets sights on seats in key areas

[nickshepDEM]

Maryland Republicans, hoping for more clout in Annapolis and an easier second term for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., plan to target as many as 14 delegates and five senators in conservative districts for defeat in next year's election.

Republicans won't name names, but the top of the list is, almost without doubt, House Speaker Michael E. Busch. Other likely Democratic targets include Dels. Steven J. DeBoy Sr., James E. Malone Jr. and Eric M. Bromwell of Baltimore County, Galen R. Clagett of Frederick and John L. Bohanan Jr. of Southern Maryland.

In the Senate, Republicans have set their sights on Brochin, whose district voted nearly 2-to-1 for Ehrlich in 2002; Katherine A. Klausmeier, from the conservative Perry Hall area; Anne Arundel County's James E. DeGrange Sr., John C. Astle and Philip C. Jimeno, and Roy P. Dyson of Southern Maryland.

The state GOP is raising money, recruiting candidates and preparing for an all-out effort by volunteers statewide to support its ticket. But party officials say they will focus their resources on several districts that are represented by Democrats in the General Assembly but where Ehrlich won by large margins in 2002.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.targets21aug21,1,5936441.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines

[nickshepDEM]

1. We can't let up in 2006. Maryland Republicans are hungry for gains.

[wli]

2. I wonder if we'll send in an Iraq war vet or a DLC'er to head this off n/t

[Frances]

3. Thanks for posting this

Any word on how the Dems plan to fight back?

[DaveinMD]

4. the Dems

will finally have an aggressive, coordinated legislative election strategy in the House. Lots of good things happening.

[Frances]

5. I am pleased to hear that

Please keep us posted.

By the way, I got an email about Duncan today. Duncan seems to be running a good campaign even though he hasn't announced yet. I haven't forgiven him for what he did to Blair Ewing in 2002, but I suppose that episode proves that Duncan is tough. I hope he's tough enough to beat Ehrlich if he is the Dem nominee.

[nickshepDEM]

6. Dave, in your opinion how vulnerable are the people listed

in this article.

[DaveinMD]

7. they are certainly targets

just by the demographics of the districts they run in. I think Bromwell will be very safe just because of the name.

As far as the others go, the fact that they survived in a year like 2002 could mean they should be in better shape. They will all have tough campaigns.

[Frances]

8. 2 questions for Dave

(1) Are there any Repubs who are in Dem leaning districts that are vulnerable?

(2) Will Bush's falling popularity play any role in these statehouse elections?

[DaveinMD]

9. there are a couple

of Republicans in Dem leaning Districts, but not too many. Remember Dems have a 60 seat advantage in the House and a 3/5 majority in the Senate. Dem pickups could come in some swing districts that we barely lost the last time.

Bush's falling popularity could have some impact from the top down. My feeling is that if we run stronger campaigns in red areas, we will pick up some seats that we barely lost. Look at Schraeder's seat in District 13 for example. That district has three Dem Delegates despite a bad showing by Kathleen Kennedy in Howard County. That is probably our number 1 senate pickup target in the state.

[Frances]

10. Thanks for the info

I had assumed that there would not be as many opportunities for Dems as Repubs for pickups because of the numbers you cited, but I was hoping there would be a few.

[AX10]

11. Elerich is not as popular as he was in 02'.

Dems still held all their seats. I don't see Democratic losses in 06'.

[aintitfunny]

12. I think you are right

but it will still require a fight, they are targeting.

[AX10]

13. Of course. In 02' it was a fight when Dems took a hit...

due to Glenndenning's unpopularity and we will still fight now. Even though the Democrats fortunes have increased due to Elreich's unpopularity. The only question is, will the Dems capitalize on it?

[DaveinMD]

14. This will be the most aggressive

campaign Dems have ever run in the legislative arena.

[aintitfunny]

15. I think they will, & I believe it was less

Glendenning's lack of popularity as much as KK Townsend's lack of a cohesive campaign. JMO

[thrift_store_angel]

16. Dyson and Bohanan

Dyson has a very tough fight a head of him. He is going up against someone who will have a lot of money and a lot of name recognition in the area. The only thing that might save Dyson in that race is that his competition has a few skeletons that have been sitting right outside the closet door for a few years now. But then Dyson is only representing that district because he lost in the last one he represented and move over to this one to run again. That being said it isn't a huge loss if Dyson loses, he is pretty much a democrat in name only. I don't know much about Bohanan or who he is running against but I would say based on the district, if Bohanan actually votes like a democrat he is in for a tough fight. That area is VERY conservative.