Kate Boland

Seal of the state GOPWESTMINSTER - State Republicans say that the upcoming presidential primary and races for Congress has boosted the hopes of the state GOP, which suffered a key loss in 2006 when incumbent Gov. Robert Ehrlich was ousted by Democrat Martin O’Malley.

“There is a lot of excitement in the party right now,” said John Flynn, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party. “Last week, at our headquarters, people were very excited to register as a delegate for the national convention. Beyond that, we have strong congressional candidates, and we are looking forward to the presidential primary in February.”

While unified in message, many party officials expressed differing opinions on the GOP presidential candidates. Literature about rivaling candidates was passed out throughout the day, and campaign buttons were sold at various tables. The candidacy of Rep. Ron Paul from Texas was certainly evident, as the congressman’s campaign had a bus parked in the front lot.

Seal of the state GOPSpecial Session Debate Continues at State Convention

WESTMINSTER - The Maryland Republican Party used the enactment of new taxes by the Democratic-controlled legislative special session as a way to fire up party loyalists and help plan for the 2008 campaign, at the state GOP convention, Saturday

“The special session has given us a real opening with voters,” John Flynn, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, said in an interview with PolitickerMD.com. “Democrats have been calling our office and telling us that they feel abandoned by their party. This is what happens when you raise taxes.”

More Republicans than Democrats have recently changed parties, while more voters are also registering as Democrats, according to the Voter Registration Division of the Maryland Board of Elections.

"We have been registering new Democrats at local parades and county fairs, which has helped us," said David Paulson, communications director of the Maryland Democratic Party. "The message really starts from and reflects the national mood, as our focus has revolved around replacing George Bush with a Democrat in the White House. This resonates with Maryland voters."