Andy Harris

Andy Harris: Campaign PhotoThis Independence Day, First district Republican nominee and state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) offered up his thoughts on the greatness of America, evidenced by his family’s journey to freedom.

Evoking Ronald Reagan’s comparison of the United States to “a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere," Harris asks citizens to remember “our nation's unparalleled freedom and opportunity for its citizens.”

“The United States has always shone as a beacon of hope and continues to do so today,” he said. “Our nation was founded by and continues to thrive on the hard work, dedication and faith of those who saw America as a land of opportunity for all, regardless of status, wealth or nationality.”

As an example, Harris points to his own parents.

It's not every day that the state Democratic Party's communication director and one of Maryland's most prominent Republicans agree on a party's political fortunes. But after former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele told a crowd of Republicans that "the Republican brand quite frankly sucks," David Paulson emailed PolitickerMD.com to express his empathy for Steele's idea.

"I don't disagree with Michael Steele on his low opinion of the Republican brand - it's in the toilet for a lot of reasons," Paulson wrote in an email to PolitickerMD.com. "But Republicans who think they only have a branding problem are fooling themselves. This isn't a public relations problem. This is a public trust problem."

And that's where the temporary agreement between Paulson and Steele ends.

State's Attorney Frank KratovilState’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) is criticizing his MD-1 opponent’s commitment to protecting Ocean City’s beaches. The criticism comes just a day after state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) told a crowd at a fundraiser Tuesday to “just say no to earmarks.”

“Ocean City’s beaches are a billion-dollar economic engine that generate thousands of jobs for hard-working Maryland families,” said Kratovil in a statement.

EASTON – Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) joined state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) for a fundraiser last night in Easton. The cost of admission to the Denny family’s house party was $250 for couples. VIP entrance was priced at $1,000, which included a photo with Steele.

The former lieutenant governor and chair of GOPAC opened the event for Harris. He began by praising key Republican operatives.

“It’s important work, its hard work. Particularly in this climate, in which the Republican brand quite frankly sucks,” Steele said. “I mean it stinks, it’s ugly, it’s painful, but in all that I see opportunity.”

If you take a historical look at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s upgrade of the First district’s Frank Kratovil to their Red-to-Blue program two weeks ago, you may find yourself asking, ‘Why?’

Because outside of a self-funder or war hero, rookie candidates in red districts don’t get this kind of national attention.

Tim McCann, state's Attorney Frank Kratovil’s (D-Stevensville) new campaign manager, told PolitickerMD.com that his addition to the campaign is not part of a big change or a drastic shift in direction.

McCann, who was brought on board to the Kratovil campaign last week, will take over on Tuesday. Kratovil’s former campaign manager, volunteer Marie Duffield, will begin focusing on field operations according to Erik Gulbrandsen, the campaign’s spokesperson.

“All campaign staffs grow as you approach election day,” McCann said in an interview with PolitickerMD.com. “My role is to come in and focus the operation.”

State's Attorney Frank KratovilState’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) has hired a new campaign manager in his bid to win Maryland’s 1st Congressional District in November. Tim McCann will take over July 1 and will replace volunteer Marie Duffield, who will begin focusing on field operations.

Erik Gulbrandsen, Kratovil’s spokesman, told PolitickerMD.com that McCann “brings to the table a whole lot of experience in new media marketing,” which Gulbrandsen said is something the campaign hadn’t focused much on in the past.

State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) is applauding a U.S. Supreme Court decision handed down Thursday morning, which struck down Washington, D.C.’s controversial ban on hand guns and reaffirmed the rights U.S. citizens have to own firearms under the Second Amendment.

“Today's ruling is a victory for individual rights and personal liberty,” Harris said in a statement. “Gun-grabbing liberals should take note that the Constitution clearly states Americans have the right to own firearms and the Supreme Court reaffirmed that today.”