Kratovil campaign manager discusses victory

Steve Meehan, the campaign manager for the congressional campaign of Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), discussed his candidates’ victory over Christopher Robinson in yesterday’s Democratic primary in Maryland’s First Congressional District.

“We’re very happy,” Meehan said. “I’m glad we stuck with our plan.”

Kratovil, the State’s Attorney for Queen Anne’s County, defeated Robinson, an attorney from Dorchester County, 40% to 31%.

Kratovil had the support of several Democratic Party leaders in the state, including Gov. Martin O’Malley.

Despite his backing within the party, Meehan said the campaign “never thought this was a done deal.”

Early precincts reports had Kratovil up by as much as 27 points, which Meehan said could be attributed to the fact that Queen Anne’s County, where Kratovil easily won, was reporting numbers before other counties.

“Chris Robinson has been around for 25 years,” Meehan said, when asked about the eventual margin of victory, which was smaller than many had predicted. “His supporters know him.”

“I’m glad we were organized,” he added.

The campaign manager said Kratovil volunteers were present at 60 different polling places across the district throughout the day.

Asked to react to the results of the Republican race in the first district, where state Sen. Andy Harris defeated incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, Meehan said he did not expect that “Republicans were going to give-up their congressman.”

On the prospects of facing Harris in the general election, Meehan said, “We’re looking forward to it.”

Meehan said he hoped the campaign would not become bitter, saying, “Frank is not a negative person.”

He said both candidates have strong positions, giving voters a clear choice. Meehan said he hoped the campaigns could “get to the debate” on the issues, rather than to negative campaigning.

With the conservatism that is typical along the Eastern Shore, Meehan stressed Kratovil’s ability to reach out to Independents and Republicans. He focused on Kratovil’s work as a prosecutor, saying his candidate “worried about law and order” when he went to sleep and when he woke up in the morning.

He also said Kratovil was concerned about illegal immigration, and said the government had not “created an opportunity for employers to get legal employees.” He stressed the need to properly identify prospective employees, while saying, “Republicans are not together on illegal immigration.”

Meehan also said that Republicans made up half of Kratovil’s Election Day field organizing team.

As for specifics on the primary victory, Meehan looked to his candidates’ strong performances in Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore counties. He said Robinson’s gains in Dorchester, Worcester, and Wicomico counties would help the campaign as they target counties to watch in the general election.

Meehan also said election turnout “was steady” throughout the day, despite the difficult weather conditions.