Several Congressional Incumbents Win Primary Seat. Several members of the Maryland Congress won another chance to continue to represent their districts on Tuesday night. State Sen. Andy Harris has won the Republican nomination in Maryland’s most closely watched race for the U.S. House of Representatives. The November general election will pit the conservative Baltimore County physician against Democratic incumbent Rep. Frank Kratovil in a repeat of their 2008 race, which was decided by fewer than 3,000 votes. Harris had 66 percent of the Republican vote Tuesday with 73 percent of precincts reporting. Rob Fisher had 34 percent. Kratovil had no Democratic opponents.
It’s Official, O’Malley, Ehrlich To Have Rematch. Former Gov. Robert Ehrlich defeated Sarah Palin-endorsed Brian Murphy for the Republican nomination on Tuesday, and Gov. Martin O’Malley won easily in the Democratic primary to set up a rematch of the 2006 Maryland governor’s race. O’Malley, who has been touting record investments in education despite tough economic times, told supporters he was looking forward to the Nov. 2 rematch.
Mikulski Gets Dems’ Nod; Wargotz Wins GOP Nom. Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski has won the Democratic nomination for a fifth term in the U.S. Senate. The incumbent had 84 percent of the vote with 2 percent of precincts reporting on Tuesday. Her closest competitor, Christopher Garner, had 7 percent. Queenstown doctor and businessman Eric Wargotz, who was among the most visible Republicans, ultimately beat out 10 others to win the Republican nomination. His campaign ads portrayed Mikulski as a dinosaur called a “political insider-saurus.” Wargotz plays a dinosaur hunter who encourages voters to help him make the species extinct. Republican lawyer Jim Rutledge, of Forest Hill, portrayed himself as the tea party candidate. He had won endorsements from Maryland Right to Life and the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore.
MD’s Eastern Shore To Get Broadband Access. Maryland’s Eastern Shore will get broadband access, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA grant of more than $3 million could benefit about 125,000 people and thousands of businesses. The grant will expand broadband to Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. The money comes through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
