Kratovil hires new campaign manager, puts focus on new media

State's Attorney Frank KratovilState’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) has hired a new campaign manager in his bid to win Maryland’s 1st Congressional District in November. Tim McCann will take over July 1 and will replace volunteer Marie Duffield, who will begin focusing on field operations.

Erik Gulbrandsen, Kratovil’s spokesman, told PolitickerMD.com that McCann “brings to the table a whole lot of experience in new media marketing,” which Gulbrandsen said is something the campaign hadn’t focused much on in the past.

“I’m excited to have Tim coming on board. Our volunteer staff has done a great job so far and I know they’ll continue to excel under his direction,” Kratovil said in a statement. “Tim’s background in competitive Congressional politics will give us a big boost as our campaign continues to build momentum and draw national attention.”

According to the campaign, McCann served as deputy campaign manager to former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell’s 2006 gubernatorial campaign in Texas, and spent the two prior election cycles working for a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm, which specializes in competitive swing-district congressional races.

McCann’s addition to the team comes only a week after Kratovil was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Red-to-Blue program, which has boosted Kratovil’s financial edge against his opponent, state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville). The race is seen by some observers as one of the most heated contests in the country. Although Maryland’s 1st district trends Republican, the DCCC has seen an opportunity to pick up the seat, which takes in all of the Eastern Shore and portions of Harford and Baltimore counties.