Van Hollen: 'Kratovil represents Gilchrest tradition of moderation'

DENVER - U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington) says Queen Anne County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) would represent the values of Maryland’s 1st Congressional District far better than his opponent.

“This is a tough district for Democrats but Frank Kratovil is a very independent minded pragmatic centrist moderate candidate. Very much a mold of Wayne Gilchrest,” Van Hollen told PolitickerMD.com during a reception hosted by Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon at the Renaissance Denver Hotel.

“I think that Frank Kratovil represents Gilchrest tradition of moderation. And I think his political temperament: it’s much better with that district than does the person who he’s running against,” said Van Hollen. “And his opponent, Andy Harris, is very much on the right fringe.”

U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R) was first elected to Congress in 1990. He was defeated by state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) during the February primaries.

Van Hollen -- chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee -- declined to say specifically if the DCCC would be sending any money Kratovil’s way, but did say the organization “will be involved in every way.”

Van Hollen said focusing on Harris’ ideologies should be a key part of Kratovil’s campaign strategy.

“His strategy needs to focus on the fact that the positions Andy Harris has taken is like Bush on steroids,” he said.

Van Hollen noted that Kratovil’s name recognition would depend on the finances available to get his message out.

“The key is to have enough recourses to be able to get his message out and that is why it’s important for him to raise the money to tell his story,” said Van Hollen.

Kratovil and Harris are currently competing for Maryland's 1st Congressional District seat. The 1st District includes 12 of the 23 counties in the state, which encompasses all of the Eastern Shore and portions of Harford, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties.

The Kratovil-Harris race is ranked the 51st most competitive Congressional race in the nation on Politicker.com's the Pindell Report. Politicker.com Managing Editor James Pindell lists the race as “Leans Republican.”