Joseph Vallario

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Succeeding in this election cycle will be an uphill battle for Republicans in Prince George's County, according to Mykel Harris, chair of the Prince George's County Republican Central Committee.

"It's a tough year for Republicans - even tougher in Prince George's County," Harris told PolitickerMD.com. "In the past I would have to say it hasn't been competitive. We're outnumbered 6 to 1. That is the biggest challenge and as a result we don't really have a farm team."

State Del. Joseph Vallario, Jr. (D) has held seat 27A since 1975 and U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) is expected to easily win reelection in November against Republican Peter James.  

Harris says recruits are "typically unknown" because Prince George's Republicans start out at a disadvantage. "This is where you're last in the league," he said.

Rep. Steny Hoyer got a new Republican seeking to challenge him this fall as Mike Hethmon of the Immigration Reform Law Institute joined the race today. He sometimes appears on CNN to rail against illegal immigration.

Hethmon lost the 2006 Republican primary in District 27A, dashing his hopes of being the sacrifical lamb slaughtered by Joe Vallario and James Proctor. Something tells us he won't be successful this time either.