E.J. Pipkin

LUTHERVILLE -- State Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Elkton) says Republicans in the state of Maryland have a purpose, even if they're wildly outnumbered in Annapolis.

"It's our job to stop the stupid and mean ideas of Maryland Democrats," Pipkin said, while speaking at the 42nd District Republican Club's Second Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Friday. "These are some challenging times to be a Republican."

Working in a swipe at the media, Pipkin said a quick glance at The Baltimore Sun, when he's quote, "not using it for other things," proves his point about the Democrats.

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) signs a girls cast at a Corn Roast: Politicker.com photo

REISTERSTOWN -- Bob Ehrlich remains undecided about a possible rematch against Gov. Martin O'Malley in 2010. His supporters, however, aren't waiting.

At a Corn Roast this weekend -- designed to add cash to the Bob Ehrlich for Maryland Committee -- the one-term governor shook hands with supporters, took pictures, chatted with old friends and even signed a young girl's cast. Over a thousand of Ehrlich's Republican counterparts attended the annual fundraiser hosted by Tom and Jone Reynolds at their Reisterstown farm.

While some supporters at the event had no clue if the former governor would make a second bid, many were just hopeful, while others seemed certain.

Democratic Congressional candidate Frank Kratovil is too liberal for the 1st Congressional District, a new ad from the Andy Harris campaign claims.

"Sadly, Frank Kratovil just doesn't get it," says the ad's narrator. "He wants the same old failed liberal policies. He's wrong. Liberal policies never work."

Kratovil has pushed the idea that he is a moderate throughout the race for the 1st district, which is historically conservative but has an independent bent.

It's Maryland's Winners and Losers for August 22, 2008. CLICK HERE.

ANNAPOLIS--Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) and his wife Kendel had their official portraits unveiled tonight at a ceremony before an estimated crowd of more than 600 people at St. John's College in Annapolis.

Current Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and First Lady Katie O'Malley were also in attendance, as was Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach).

The event, largely non-political and cordial, encompassed many former Ehrlich advisers and Republican lawmakers. Supporters of the former governor cheered with glee as he spoke during the 45-minute ceremony. One spectator, perhaps thinking about 2010, shouted "four more years," as Ehrlich spoke.

After a bruising contest that saw negative attack ads and arguments about contributions from political action committees, state Sen. Andy Harris defeated nine-term incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest  and state Sen. E.J. Pipkin in the Feb. 12 GOP primary in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

Since that time, Gilchrest has been highly critical of Harris, leading many to believe that he may endorse the Democratic candidate, Frank Kratovil. His longtime aide, Lynn Caligiuri, joined the Kratovil campaign in April as a finance coordinator. Harris picked-up Pipkin's endorsement.

Despite the divisions between the incumbent congressman and the party's nominee, Harris Campaign Manager Chris Meekins told PolitickerMD.com today that Republicans are "unified behind Andy Harris."

State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) leads State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) by nine points in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, according to a new survey conducted by the Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group for the Kratovil campaign.

Harris was favored by 43 percent of respondents, while Kratovil garnered 34 percent, with 23 percent undecided.

Kratovil, however, led by a margin of 45-38 among the 25 percent of respondents who recognized the candidate's names.

Jim Pelura, the chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, said Justin Ready, the chief of staff to state Sen. Janet Greeinp (R-Crofton), was the "right fit" to become the new executive director of the state party. This morning, Pelura announced that Ready had been selected to replace John Flynn.

"I rely on my first impression," Pelura said of his decision. "All the candidates were well qualified, but Justin is the right one."

"I'm very happy to be asked to serve," Ready told PolitickerMD.com. "I'm excited to continue the process of working with the chairman to make Maryland a two-party state again."

Justin Ready, the chief of staff to state Sen. Janet Greenip (R-Crofton), told PolitickerMD.com that he is one of 14 candidates seeking to become the next executive director of the Maryland Republican Party.

Ready, 26, said that he’s “had a lot of experience in the last five years,” and said he did not think his youth would hurt his chances at securing the position.

Ready has been with Greenip for the past 18 months. Before that, he was the statewide field director on state Sen. E.J. Pipkin’s (R-Stevensville) 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. He also worked for Del. J.B. Jennings (R-District 7) and was a volunteer on Bob Ehrlich’s 2002 gubernatorial campaign.

Recently, Ready served as the “state grassroots leader” on Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign.