Will Ehrlich run again? Maybe, but he's fundraising already

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) signs a girls cast at a Corn Roast: Politicker.com photo

REISTERSTOWN -- Bob Ehrlich remains undecided about a possible rematch against Gov. Martin O'Malley in 2010. His supporters, however, aren't waiting.

At a Corn Roast this weekend -- designed to add cash to the Bob Ehrlich for Maryland Committee -- the one-term governor shook hands with supporters, took pictures, chatted with old friends and even signed a young girl's cast. Over a thousand of Ehrlich's Republican counterparts attended the annual fundraiser hosted by Tom and Jone Reynolds at their Reisterstown farm.

While some supporters at the event had no clue if the former governor would make a second bid, many were just hopeful, while others seemed certain.

Among those who had "no idea" was state Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Stevensville).

"I'm here just to enjoy a beautiful fall day," Pipkin told PolitickerMD.com as he entered the event.

David Nawrocki -- president of the Republican Club of Northeast Baltimore County -- remained hopeful that Ehrlich would run in 2010 but was hesitant to make any predictions.

Nawrocki isn't just waiting for Ehrlich to decide. He's pushing the idea with over 5,000 "Bring Back Ehrlich" bumper stickers, which debuted at Saturday's Corn Roast.

If he does run, Nawrocki says, Ehrlich will need a lot of grassroots support and plenty of money.

"That's why this is for him," Nawrocki told PolitickerMD.com. "That's why he puts this on."

Tom Reynolds, who hosted the event along with his wife, predicted Ehrlich would "absolutely" run again.

"He's the strongest Republican leadership in the state of Maryland without a doubt," Reynolds told PolitickerMD.com. "If you're a Republican and you can't get behind him - who are you gonna get behind?"

Reynolds, who's been a supporter of Ehrlich since his first campaign for state delegate, wanted to keep the movement alive.

"Bob just does a better job," said Reynolds.

Ehrlich served as governor from 2003 to 2007, before being defeated by now-Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore). Ehrlich represented Maryland's 2nd Congressional District from 1995 to 2003 and was a state delegate for District 10 from 1991 to 1995.

Price of admission to the Corn Roast was $30 for an individual ticket, $250 to reserve a table and $10 for children age six to 18.