Baltimore County Republican Central Committee

There's a second Republican plumber on the political scene this year.

Jim Berndt -- a member of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee -- says he's had the nickname "Jim the Plumber," not to be confused with "Joe the Plumber," for at least four years.

The latter rose in prominence during the second presidential debate after an encounter with Barack Obama on the campaign trail in Ohio. Jim Berndt, meanwhile, is a licensed master plumber who's owned "Jim's Plumbing and Heating" since 1980. He currently employees two technicians and often uses his own time to lobby on behalf of the plumbing trade.

Jim "the Plumber" Berndt says he received a slew of emails after "Joe the Plumber" hit the political scene.

"What the hell's going on with Joe the Plumber?" Berndt paraphrased one email as saying. "You're the only plumber we know."

BALTIMORE -- A Nov. 10 meeting to nominate state Sen. Andy Harris's successor, should Harris be elected to Congress, was moved to put more focus on getting Harris elected in the first place and not because of committee bylaws, according to Mike Geppi, chair of the Harford County Republican Central Committee.

If Harris (R-Cockeysville) defeats state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) to win the 1st Congressional District seat, the Harford and Baltimore County Republican Central Committees will be required to elect a successor.

Chris Cavey -- chair of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee -- said Monday the delay had little to do with Harris's prospects. Rather, Cavey argued, it was to ensure that the process goes smoothly to avoid any controversy with the rules and bylaws.

If Harris is elected, the rules state that a notice must go out 10 days prior to the interview, according to Cavey. He said it "would be a little unseemly" to advertise before election night.

Geppi's reasoning for the move, however, differed a bit from Cavey's.

Should state. Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) defeat state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) to win the 1st Congressional District seat in November, the Harford and Baltimore County Republican Central Committees will be required to elect a successor.

The original plan was to confirm Harris's replacement on Nov. 10, however, this is no longer the case. While the meeting itself is not being canceled, the motion to decide on a successor is.

Chris Cavey, chair of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, says the delay has little to do with Harris's prospects. Rather, it is to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

HALETHORPE-- Al Nalley (R-Catonsville), a candidate for the House of Delegates in District 12A, addressed the Patapsco Valley Republican Club at their monthly dinner meeting in Halethorpe, this evening.

Nalley, 57, the general manager of the Baltimore branch for BMG Metals, Inc., a steel service center, has served as vice president of the Patapsco Valley Republican Club since 2004 and as an alternate on the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee since his election in 2002.

The candidate said he wanted to engage the crowd to clarify "where I stand on the issues."

Speaking with PolitickerMD.com prior to the start of the event, Nalley addressed the importance of what he called "everyday activities" facing the people of Maryland, including the slots referendum.