SEVERNA PARK -- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville) stayed on message Sunday while stumping for Democrat Frank Kratovil.

"Ladies and gentleman, we're ahead," Hoyer told a crowd of roughly 70 volunteers at a Democratic Party HQ in Anne Arundel County.

Hoyer praised the 1st Congressional District's current occupant, U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville), caliing him "one of the most considered, conscientious, intellectually honest Representatives with whom I've served."

Kratovil's opponent, state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville), defeated Gilchrest in the February primary, but Gilchrest endorsed Kratovil over the summer.

Hoyer criticized Harris's temperment and called his television ads "junk."

"Everybody I have talked to that has served with Frank's opponent ... have told me you cannot work with Frank's opponent," Hoyer said. "I have not served with a Republican Representative during the 28 years I've been in Congress who has not been a positive member of the [Maryland] delegation. That includes our former governor, Bob Ehrlich."

"But I will tell you this my friends," Hoyer paused. "I'm gonna stop using that phrase."

The crowd laughed and applauded.

"It's not a bad phrase," he joked. "It's  just been so overused by some people."

Hoyer continued: "Frank Kratovil is someone we can believe in, have confidence in and will represent us, not Washington. Us! Not special interests. Us! Not party," Hoyer said. "Frank Kratovil's gonna win this election because Democracy works."