Kratovil hopes to build a Consensus

Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), the State’s Attorney for Queen Anne’s County and Democratic nominee in Maryland’s First Congressional District is a career prosecutor and political moderate. It is with that law and order background and independence that the 39-year-old begins his general election campaign against state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville).

Steve Meehan, Kratovil’s campaign manager, told PolitickerMD.com that his candidates’ “skill at consensus building” would aide his effort to secure victory in a district that has not been represented by a Democrat since Roy Dyson in 1990.

“At the end of the day—it’s a pretty middle of the road place,” Meehan said in reference to the first district.

The district, which includes the entire Eastern Shore of the state, along with parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Harford counties, has been represented in Congress for the past 17 years by a moderate Republican, Wayne Gilchrest.

While Gilchrest will not be returning to Congress in 2009 after being defeated by the more conservative Harris in the GOP primary, Kratovil is banking on swaying some of the congressman’s voters to his camp.

“Republicans for Kratovil,” which includes a prominent Gilchrest staff member, Office Manager Karen Wills, has, according to Meehan, generated excitement within the campaign.

“Most of the (Republicans) who have contacted me come from the business community in some of the largest towns in the district,” Meehan said.

The campaign manager said those Republicans were largely “educated fiscal conservatives” who were “socially moderate” and particularly “concerned about environmental issues.”

When asked about the support from Willis, Meehan said, “She’s not a political person. She’s a public person. She knows Frank’s character and reputation.”

Yesterday, Chris Meekins, Harris’ campaign manager, told PolitickerMD.com that he was not concerned about any Republican or Independent support that Kratovil may receive, highlighting his candidates’ support from key members of the Republican establishment, like former Gov. Bob Ehrlich.

He also questioned Kratovil’s moderation, saying, “Frank Kratovil will vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House—a San Francisco liberal.”

Still, Meehan said, “Frank’s not a partisan. When he says that—he’s serious.

The candidates still have eight months to convince the voters.