Redmer focusing on electing Harris first, claiming Senate seat second

BALTIMORE -- Former Del. Al Redmer (R-Baltimore County) wants Andy Harris's state Senate seat, but not as much as he wants to see Harris in Congress.

Should Harris (R-Cockeysville) defeat state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) in the 1st Congressional District race, the Harford and Baltimore County Republican Central Committees will be required to elect a successor to Harris in the state Senate, and Redmer says he's the guy for the job.

"I've been there done that," Redmer told PolitickerMD.com at a fundraiser for his unofficial campaign Tuesday morning. "I've got the background and experience to lead immediately upon taking office."

Redmer says getting Harris elected to Congress is his top priority.

"I've been helping him raise money, knocking on doors and I've been making phone calls," Redmer said at the Hilton Garden Inn White Marsh.

Redmer called interacting with the respective Republican Central Committees a "delicate balance." The 7th District hopeful expressed a desire to give committee members his perspective on issues and explain his background, but doesn't want to be "in front of the curve."

If Harris doesn't get elected, neither does Redmer.

Redmer didn't think the committee members were leaning toward any of the potential state Senate candidates, but said many were new and didn't know the candidates well enough yet to make a decision. In addition to Redmer, Del. J.B. Jennings (R-Baltimore/Harford County) and Sergio Vitale (R-Glen Arm) have thrown their names in to the ring.

Mike Geppi, chair of the Harford County Republican Central Committee, said committee members  have been talking, but like Redmer, he wants to get Harris elected first and foremost.

"At the end of the day, the decision's gonna be who's gonna be a good senator and who can raise a competitive amount of money and wage the energetic campaign that's necessary to win in 2010," Redmer told PolitickerMD.com.

Redmer's fundraiser -- priced at $100 per person and $1,000 for sponsorships -- grossed $25,000, according to Redmer.

Harford and Baltimore County Republican Central Committee members in attendance included Mike Geppi, Kim Wagner, Dave Price, Bob Thomas, Teresa Reilly, Mike Papas, Carl Brewer, Gloria Murphy and Herman Wood.