Campaign Notebook, 9.5.2007

Maryland state senator Andrew Harris (R) is receiving some high-profile support in his primary challenge against Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.)

Former Maryland governor Bob Ehrlich will be holding an October fundraiser on his behalf at Harris' Crab House in Queen Anne's County.

"Andy Harris has been a consistent leader in promoting our Republican values and beliefs," Ehrlich said in a statement.

Harris, an anesthesiologist who served 18 years in the Naval Reserve Medical Corps, is presenting himself as a conservative alternative to the nine-term congressman in the Southern Maryland and Eastern Shore district. Harris is supported by eight other GOP state legislators, including Gilchrest’s 2004 primary opponent.

Gilchrest has faced spirited primary challenges from his right before, but has managed to win comfortably. Gilchrest chief of staff Tony Caligiuri pointed out that Harris hails from Baltimore County, which only comprises a small portion of the district.

“I don’t see any erosion of Gilchrest support in the district,” said Gilchrest chief of staff Tony Caligiuri. “They are the same exact issues every conservative challenger has raised. There’s nothing new there.”

-- It’s looking more likely there will be a rematch between Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) and former Microsoft executive Darcy Burner (D) next fall. Burner’s primary opponent, state senator Rodney Tom, dropped out of the race today, after spending only seven weeks in the race.

Some Democrats viewed Tom, who switched parties in 2005, as the more electable Democrat because of his more moderate legislative record. But Burner was able to gin up enthusiasm among the party’s activist base, raising over $100,000 in several days to protest President Bush’s visit to the district on behalf of Reichert.