Maryland: E.j. Pipkin

LUTHERVILLE -- State Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Elkton) says Republicans in the state of Maryland have a purpose, even if they're wildly outnumbered in Annapolis.

"It's our job to stop the stupid and mean ideas of Maryland Democrats," Pipkin said, while speaking at the 42nd District Republican Club's Second Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Friday. "These are some challenging times to be a Republican."

Democratic Congressional candidate Frank Kratovil is too liberal for the 1st Congressional District, a new ad from the Andy Harris campaign claims.

"Sadly, Frank Kratovil just doesn't get it," says the ad's narrator. "He wants the same old failed liberal policies. He's wrong. Liberal policies never work."

Kratovil has pushed the idea that he is a moderate throughout the race for the 1st district, which is historically conservative but has an independent bent.

ANNAPOLIS--Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) and his wife Kendel had their official portraits unveiled tonight at a ceremony before an estimated crowd of more than 600 people at St. John's College in Annapolis.

Current Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and First Lady Katie O'Malley were also in attendance, as was Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach).

State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) leads State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) by nine points in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, according to a new survey conducted by the Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group for the Kratovil campaign.

Harris was favored by 43 percent of respondents, while Kratovil garnered 34 percent, with 23 percent undecided.

Kratovil, however, led by a margin of 45-38 among the 25 percent of respondents who recognized the candidate's names.